Windows Server 2016 minimum password length must be configured to 14 characters.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-224872	WN16-AC-000070	SV-224872r569186_rule		Medium

Description
Information systems not protected with strong password schemes (including passwords of minimum length) provide the opportunity for anyone to crack the password, thus gaining access to the system and compromising the device, information, or the local network.

STIG	Date
Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2022-03-01

Details

Check Text ( C-26563r465518_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 "Minimum password length," is less than "14" characters, this is a finding. For server core installations, run the following command: Secedit /Export /Areas SecurityPolicy /CFG C:\Path\FileName.Txt If "MinimumPasswordLength" is less than "14" in the file, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-26563r465518_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 "Minimum password length," is less than "14" characters, this is a finding.

For server core installations, run the following command:

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

If "MinimumPasswordLength" is less than "14" in the file, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-26551r465519_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy >> "Minimum password length" to "14" characters.