Windows Server 2022 reversible password encryption must be disabled.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-254293 | WN22-AC-000090 | SV-254293r1051095_rule | High |
| Description |
| Storing passwords using reversible encryption is essentially the same as storing clear-text versions of the passwords, which are easily compromised. For this reason, this policy must never be enabled. |
| STIG | Date |
| Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-01-14 |
Details
| Check Text (C-57778r848693_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 "Store passwords using reversible encryption" is not set to "Disabled", this is a finding. For server core installations, run the following command: Secedit /Export /Areas SecurityPolicy /CFG C:\Path\FileName.Txt If "ClearTextPassword" equals "1" in the file, this is a finding. |
| Fix Text (F-57729r848694_fix) |
| Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy >> Store passwords using reversible encryption to "Disabled". |