Windows Server 2016 maximum password age must be configured to 60 days or less.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-224870	WN16-AC-000050	SV-224870r569186_rule		Medium

Description
The longer a password is in use, the greater the opportunity for someone to gain unauthorized knowledge of the passwords. Scheduled changing of passwords hinders the ability of unauthorized system users to crack passwords and gain access to a system.

STIG	Date
Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2021-09-29

Details

Check Text ( C-26561r465512_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 the "Maximum password age" is greater than "60" days, this is a finding. If the value is set to "0" (never expires), this is a finding. For server core installations, run the following command: Secedit /Export /Areas SecurityPolicy /CFG C:\Path\FileName.Txt If "MaximumPasswordAge" is greater than "60" or equal to "0" in the file, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-26561r465512_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 the "Maximum password age" is greater than "60" days, this is a finding.

If the value is set to "0" (never expires), this is a finding.

For server core installations, run the following command:

Secedit /Export /Areas SecurityPolicy /CFG C:\Path\FileName.Txt

If "MaximumPasswordAge" is greater than "60" or equal to "0" in the file, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-26549r465513_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy >> "Maximum password age" to "60" days or less (excluding "0", which is unacceptable).