Windows Server 2016 built-in guest account must be disabled.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-225024	WN16-SO-000010	SV-225024r569186_rule		Medium

Description
A system faces an increased vulnerability threat if the built-in guest account is not disabled. This is a known account that exists on all Windows systems and cannot be deleted. This account is initialized during the installation of the operating system with no password assigned.

STIG	Date
Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2023-08-22

Details

Check Text ( C-26715r465974_chk )
Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor. Run "gpedit.msc". Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options. If the value for "Accounts: Guest account status" is not set to "Disabled", this is a finding. For server core installations, run the following command: Secedit /Export /Areas SecurityPolicy /CFG C:\Path\FileName.Txt If "EnableGuestAccount" equals "1" in the file, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-26715r465974_chk )

Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor.

Run "gpedit.msc".

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

If the value for "Accounts: Guest account status" is not set to "Disabled", this is a finding.

For server core installations, run the following command:

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

If "EnableGuestAccount" equals "1" in the file, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-26703r465975_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "Accounts: Guest account status" to "Disabled".