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The system must be configured to have password protection take effect within a limited time frame when the screen saver becomes active.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-4442 WN08-SO-000046 SV-48128r1_rule PESL-1 Low
Description
Allowing more than several seconds makes the computer vulnerable to a potential attack from someone walking up to the console to attempt to log onto the system before the lock takes effect.
STIG Date
Windows 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2014-01-07

Details

Check Text ( C-44854r1_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.

(See "Updating the Windows Security Options File" in the STIG Overview document if MSS settings are not visible in the system's policy tools.)

If the value for "MSS: (ScreenSaverGracePeriod) The time in seconds before the screen saver grace period expires (0 recommended)" is not set to "5" or less, this is a finding.

The policy referenced configures the following registry value:

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\

Value Name: ScreenSaverGracePeriod

Value Type: REG_SZ
Value: 5 (or less)
Fix Text (F-41265r1_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> "MSS: (ScreenSaverGracePeriod) The time in seconds before the screen saver grace period expires (0 recommended)" to "5" or less.