The computer account password is prevented from being reset.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-1165	3.044	SV-29029r1_rule	IAIA-1 IAIA-2	Low

Description
As a part of Windows security, computer account passwords are changed automatically. Enabling this policy to disable automatic password changes can make the system more vulnerable to malicious access. Frequent password changes can be a significant safeguard for your system. If this policy is disabled, a new password for the computer account will be generated every week.

STIG	Date
Windows Vista Security Technical Implementation Guide	2012-07-02

Details

Check Text ( C-116r1_chk )
Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. 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”, then 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-116r1_chk )

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in.
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”, then 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-102r1_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”.