The computer account password must not be prevented from being reset.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-1165	WN08-SO-000015	SV-48057r1_rule	IAIA-1 IAIA-2	Low

Description
Computer account passwords are changed automatically on a regular basis. Disabling automatic password changes can make the system more vulnerable to malicious access. Frequent password changes can be a significant safeguard for your system. A new password for the computer account will be generated every 30 days.

STIG	Date
Windows 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2013-10-01

Details

Check Text ( C-44796r1_chk )
Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. (See "Performing Analysis with the Security Configuration and Analysis Snap-in" in the STIG Overview document.) Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. Navigate to Local Policies -> Security Options. If the value for "Domain Member: Disable Machine Account Password Changes" is not set to "Disabled", this is a finding. The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\Parameters\ Value Name: DisablePasswordChange Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0

Check Text ( C-44796r1_chk )

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. (See "Performing Analysis with the Security Configuration and Analysis Snap-in" in the STIG Overview document.)
Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view.
Navigate to Local Policies -> Security Options.

If the value for "Domain Member: Disable Machine Account Password Changes" is not set to "Disabled", this is a finding.

The policy referenced configures the following registry value:

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\Parameters\

Value Name: DisablePasswordChange

Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

Fix Text (F-41195r1_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> "Domain Member: Disable Machine Account Password Changes" to "Disabled".