Windows Server 2019 computer clock synchronization tolerance must be limited to five minutes or less.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-205706	WN19-DC-000060	SV-205706r1000144_rule		Medium

Description
This setting determines the maximum time difference (in minutes) that Kerberos will tolerate between the time on a client's clock and the time on a server's clock while still considering the two clocks synchronous. To prevent replay attacks, Kerberos uses timestamps as part of its protocol definition. For timestamps to work properly, the clocks of the client and the server need to be in sync as much as possible. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000112-GPOS-00057, SRG-OS-000113-GPOS-00058

Description

This setting determines the maximum time difference (in minutes) that Kerberos will tolerate between the time on a client's clock and the time on a server's clock while still considering the two clocks synchronous. To prevent replay attacks, Kerberos uses timestamps as part of its protocol definition. For timestamps to work properly, the clocks of the client and the server need to be in sync as much as possible. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000112-GPOS-00057, SRG-OS-000113-GPOS-00058

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

Details

Check Text ( C-5971r355036_chk )
This applies to domain controllers. It is NA for other systems. Verify the following is configured in the Default Domain Policy: Open "Group Policy Management". Navigate to "Group Policy Objects" in the Domain being reviewed (Forest >> Domains >> Domain). Right-click on the "Default Domain Policy". Select "Edit". Navigate to Computer Configuration >> Policies >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Kerberos Policy. If the "Maximum tolerance for computer clock synchronization" is greater than "5" minutes, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-5971r355036_chk )

This applies to domain controllers. It is NA for other systems.

Verify the following is configured in the Default Domain Policy:

Open "Group Policy Management".

Navigate to "Group Policy Objects" in the Domain being reviewed (Forest >> Domains >> Domain).

Right-click on the "Default Domain Policy".

Select "Edit".

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

If the "Maximum tolerance for computer clock synchronization" is greater than "5" minutes, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-5971r355037_fix)
Configure the policy value in the Default Domain Policy for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Kerberos Policy >> "Maximum tolerance for computer clock synchronization" to a maximum of "5" minutes or less.