Reversible password encryption must be disabled.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-253305	WN11-AC-000045	SV-253305r1016431_rule		High

Description

Storing passwords using reversible encryption is essentially the same as storing clear-text versions of the passwords. For this reason, this policy must never be enabled.

STIG	Date
Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2024-09-12

Details

Check Text (C-56758r828997_chk)

Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor.
Run "gpedit.msc".

Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy.

If the value for "Store password using reversible encryption" is not set to "Disabled", this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-56708r828998_fix)

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy >> "Store passwords using reversible encryption" to "Disabled".