The built-in Microsoft password complexity filter must be enabled.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-220746	WN10-AC-000040	SV-220746r1016408_rule		Medium

Description

The use of complex passwords increases their strength against guessing and brute-force attacks. This setting configures the system to verify that newly created passwords conform to the Windows password complexity policy.

STIG	Date
Microsoft Windows 10 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2024-11-25

Details

Check Text (C-22461r554723_chk)

Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor.
Run "gpedit.msc".

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

If the value for "Password must meet complexity requirements" is not set to "Enabled", this is a finding.

If the site is using a password filter that requires this setting be set to "Disabled" for the filter to be used, this would not be considered a finding.

Fix Text (F-22450r554724_fix)

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy >> "Password must meet complexity requirements" to "Enabled".