Windows Server 2019 passwords for the built-in Administrator account must be changed at least every 60 days.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-205657	WN19-00-000020	SV-205657r1000123_rule		Medium

Description
The longer a password is in use, the greater the opportunity for someone to gain unauthorized knowledge of the password. The built-in Administrator account is not generally used and its password might not be changed as frequently as necessary. Changing the password for the built-in Administrator account on a regular basis will limit its exposure. Windows LAPS must be used to change the built-in Administrator account password.

Description

The longer a password is in use, the greater the opportunity for someone to gain unauthorized knowledge of the password. The built-in Administrator account is not generally used and its password might not be changed as frequently as necessary. Changing the password for the built-in Administrator account on a regular basis will limit its exposure. Windows LAPS must be used to change the built-in Administrator account password.

STIG	Date
Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2024-06-14

Details

Check Text ( C-5922r951105_chk )
If there are no enabled local Administrator accounts, this is Not Applicable. Review the password last set date for the enabled local Administrator account. On the stand alone or domain-joined workstation: Open "PowerShell". Enter "Get-LocalUser -Name * \| Select-Object *". If the "PasswordLastSet" date is greater than "60" days old for the local Administrator account for administering the computer/domain, this is a finding. Verify LAPS is configured and operational. Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> LAPS >> Password Settings >> Set to enabled. Password Complexity, large letters + small letters + numbers + special, Password Length 14, Password Age 60. If not configured as shown, this is a finding. Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> LAPS >> Password Settings >> Name of administrator Account to manage >> Set to enabled >> Administrator account name is populated. If it is not, this is a finding. Verify LAPS Operational logs >> Event Viewer >> Applications and Services Logs >> Microsoft >> Windows >> LAPS >> Operational. Verify LAPS policy process is completing. If it is not, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-5922r951105_chk )

If there are no enabled local Administrator accounts, this is Not Applicable.

Review the password last set date for the enabled local Administrator account.

On the stand alone or domain-joined workstation:

Open "PowerShell".

Enter "Get-LocalUser -Name * | Select-Object *".

If the "PasswordLastSet" date is greater than "60" days old for the local Administrator account for administering the computer/domain, this is a finding.

Verify LAPS is configured and operational.

Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> LAPS >> Password Settings >> Set to enabled. Password Complexity, large letters + small letters + numbers + special, Password Length 14, Password Age 60. If not configured as shown, this is a finding.

Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> LAPS >> Password Settings >> Name of administrator Account to manage >> Set to enabled >> Administrator account name is populated. If it is not, this is a finding.

Verify LAPS Operational logs >> Event Viewer >> Applications and Services Logs >> Microsoft >> Windows >> LAPS >> Operational. Verify LAPS policy process is completing. If it is not, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-5922r951106_fix)
Change the enabled local Administrator account password at least every 60 days. Windows LAPS must be used to change the built-in Administrator account password. Domain-joined systems can configure this to occur more frequently. LAPS will change the password every 30 days by default. More information is available at: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/by-popular-demand-windows-laps-available-now/ba-p/3788747 https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/laps/laps-overview#windows-laps-supported-platforms-and-azure-ad-laps-preview-status

Fix Text (F-5922r951106_fix)

Change the enabled local Administrator account password at least every 60 days. Windows LAPS must be used to change the built-in Administrator account password. Domain-joined systems can configure this to occur more frequently. LAPS will change the password every 30 days by default.

More information is available at:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/by-popular-demand-windows-laps-available-now/ba-p/3788747
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/laps/laps-overview#windows-laps-supported-platforms-and-azure-ad-laps-preview-status