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XCCDF
Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Security Technical Implementation Guide
Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Security Technical Implementation Guide
An XCCDF Benchmark
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File Metadata
275 rules organized in 275 groups
SRG-OS-000002-GPOS-00002
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must automatically remove or disable temporary user accounts after 72 hours.
Medium Severity
If temporary user accounts remain active when no longer needed or for an excessive period, these accounts may be used to gain unauthorized access. To mitigate this risk, automated termination of all temporary accounts must be set upon account creation. Temporary accounts are established as part of normal account activation procedures when there is a need for short-term accounts without the demand for immediacy in account activation. If temporary accounts are used, the operating system must be configured to automatically terminate these types of accounts after a DoD-defined time period of 72 hours. To address access requirements, many operating systems may be integrated with enterprise-level authentication/access mechanisms that meet or exceed access control policy requirements.
SRG-OS-000004-GPOS-00004
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Account Management - Security Group Management successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Security Group Management records events such as creating, deleting, or changing security groups, including changes in group members. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000004-GPOS-00004, SRG-OS-000239-GPOS-00089, SRG-OS-000240-GPOS-00090, SRG-OS-000241-GPOS-00091, SRG-OS-000303-GPOS-00120, SRG-OS-000476-GPOS-00221
SRG-OS-000004-GPOS-00004
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Account Management - User Account Management successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. User Account Management records events such as creating, changing, deleting, renaming, disabling, or enabling user accounts. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000004-GPOS-00004, SRG-OS-000239-GPOS-00089, SRG-OS-000240-GPOS-00090, SRG-OS-000241-GPOS-00091, SRG-OS-000303-GPOS-00120, SRG-OS-000476-GPOS-00221
SRG-OS-000004-GPOS-00004
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Account Management - User Account Management failures.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. User Account Management records events such as creating, changing, deleting, renaming, disabling, or enabling user accounts. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000004-GPOS-00004, SRG-OS-000239-GPOS-00089, SRG-OS-000240-GPOS-00090, SRG-OS-000241-GPOS-00091, SRG-OS-000303-GPOS-00120, SRG-OS-000476-GPOS-00221
SRG-OS-000004-GPOS-00004
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Account Management - Computer Account Management successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Computer Account Management records events such as creating, changing, deleting, renaming, disabling, or enabling computer accounts. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000004-GPOS-00004, SRG-OS-000239-GPOS-00089, SRG-OS-000240-GPOS-00090, SRG-OS-000241-GPOS-00091, SRG-OS-000303-GPOS-00120, SRG-OS-000476-GPOS-00221
SRG-OS-000021-GPOS-00005
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have the number of allowed bad logon attempts configured to three or less.
Medium Severity
The account lockout feature, when enabled, prevents brute-force password attacks on the system. The higher this value is, the less effective the account lockout feature will be in protecting the local system. The number of bad logon attempts must be reasonably small to minimize the possibility of a successful password attack while allowing for honest errors made during normal user logon.
SRG-OS-000021-GPOS-00005
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have the period of time before the bad logon counter is reset configured to 15 minutes or greater.
Medium Severity
The account lockout feature, when enabled, prevents brute-force password attacks on the system. This parameter specifies the period of time that must pass after failed logon attempts before the counter is reset to "0". The smaller this value is, the less effective the account lockout feature will be in protecting the local system. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000021-GPOS-00005, SRG-OS-000329-GPOS-00128
SRG-OS-000023-GPOS-00006
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 required legal notice must be configured to display before console logon.
Medium Severity
Failure to display the logon banner prior to a logon attempt will negate legal proceedings resulting from unauthorized access to system resources. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000023-GPOS-00006, SRG-OS-000024-GPOS-00007, SRG-OS-000228-GPOS-00088
SRG-OS-000023-GPOS-00006
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 title for legal banner dialog box must be configured with the appropriate text.
Low Severity
Failure to display the logon banner prior to a logon attempt will negate legal proceedings resulting from unauthorized access to system resources. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000023-GPOS-00006, SRG-OS-000228-GPOS-00088
SRG-OS-000028-GPOS-00009
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 machine inactivity limit must be set to 15 minutes or less, locking the system with the screen saver.
Medium Severity
Unattended systems are susceptible to unauthorized use and should be locked when unattended. The screen saver should be set at a maximum of 15 minutes and be password protected. This protects critical and sensitive data from exposure to unauthorized personnel with physical access to the computer. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000028-GPOS-00009, SRG-OS-000029-GPOS-00010, SRG-OS-000031-GPOS-00012
SRG-OS-000032-GPOS-00013
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit logon successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Logon records user logons. If this is an interactive logon, it is recorded on the local system. If it is to a network share, it is recorded on the system accessed. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000032-GPOS-00013, SRG-OS-000470-GPOS-00214, SRG-OS-000472-GPOS-00217, SRG-OS-000473-GPOS-00218, SRG-OS-000475-GPOS-00220
SRG-OS-000032-GPOS-00013
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit logon failures.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Logon records user logons. If this is an interactive logon, it is recorded on the local system. If it is to a network share, it is recorded on the system accessed. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000032-GPOS-00013, SRG-OS-000470-GPOS-00214, SRG-OS-000472-GPOS-00217, SRG-OS-000473-GPOS-00218, SRG-OS-000475-GPOS-00220
SRG-OS-000033-GPOS-00014
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop Services must require secure Remote Procedure Call (RPC) communications.
Medium Severity
Allowing unsecure RPC communication exposes the system to man-in-the-middle attacks and data disclosure attacks. A man-in-the-middle attack occurs when an intruder captures packets between a client and server and modifies them before allowing the packets to be exchanged. Usually the attacker will modify the information in the packets in an attempt to cause either the client or server to reveal sensitive information. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000033-GPOS-00014, SRG-OS-000250-GPOS-00093
SRG-OS-000033-GPOS-00014
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop Services must be configured with the client connection encryption set to High Level.
Medium Severity
Remote connections must be encrypted to prevent interception of data or sensitive information. Selecting "High Level" will ensure encryption of Remote Desktop Services sessions in both directions. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000033-GPOS-00014, SRG-OS-000250-GPOS-00093
SRG-OS-000042-GPOS-00020
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 command line data must be included in process creation events.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Enabling "Include command line data for process creation events" will record the command line information with the process creation events in the log. This can provide additional detail when malware has run on a system.
SRG-OS-000042-GPOS-00020
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 PowerShell script block logging must be enabled.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Enabling PowerShell script block logging will record detailed information from the processing of PowerShell commands and scripts. This can provide additional detail when malware has run on a system.
SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 permissions for the Application event log must prevent access by non-privileged accounts.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. The Application event log may be susceptible to tampering if proper permissions are not applied. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027, SRG-OS-000058-GPOS-00028, SRG-OS-000059-GPOS-00029
SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 permissions for the Security event log must prevent access by non-privileged accounts.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. The Security event log may disclose sensitive information or be susceptible to tampering if proper permissions are not applied. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027, SRG-OS-000058-GPOS-00028, SRG-OS-000059-GPOS-00029
SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 permissions for the System event log must prevent access by non-privileged accounts.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. The System event log may be susceptible to tampering if proper permissions are not applied. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027, SRG-OS-000058-GPOS-00028, SRG-OS-000059-GPOS-00029
SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Manage auditing and security log user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Manage auditing and security log" user right can manage the security log and change auditing configurations. This could be used to clear evidence of tampering. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027, SRG-OS-000058-GPOS-00028, SRG-OS-000059-GPOS-00029, SRG-OS-000063-GPOS-00032, SRG-OS-000337-GPOS-00129
SRG-OS-000062-GPOS-00031
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must force audit policy subcategory settings to override audit policy category settings.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. This setting allows administrators to enable more precise auditing capabilities.
SRG-OS-000066-GPOS-00034
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 domain controllers must have a PKI server certificate.
Medium Severity
Domain controllers are part of the chain of trust for PKI authentications. Without the appropriate certificate, the authenticity of the domain controller cannot be verified. Domain controllers must have a server certificate to establish authenticity as part of PKI authentications in the domain.
SRG-OS-000066-GPOS-00034
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 domain Controller PKI certificates must be issued by the DoD PKI or an approved External Certificate Authority (ECA).
High Severity
A PKI implementation depends on the practices established by the Certificate Authority (CA) to ensure the implementation is secure. Without proper practices, the certificates issued by a CA have limited value in authentication functions. The use of multiple CAs from separate PKI implementations results in interoperability issues. If servers and clients do not have a common set of root CA certificates, they are not able to authenticate each other.
SRG-OS-000066-GPOS-00034
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 PKI certificates associated with user accounts must be issued by a DoD PKI or an approved External Certificate Authority (ECA).
High Severity
A PKI implementation depends on the practices established by the Certificate Authority (CA) to ensure the implementation is secure. Without proper practices, the certificates issued by a CA have limited value in authentication functions.
SRG-OS-000066-GPOS-00034
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have the DoD Root Certificate Authority (CA) certificates installed in the Trusted Root Store.
Medium Severity
To ensure secure DoD websites and DoD-signed code are properly validated, the system must trust the DoD Root CAs. The DoD root certificates will ensure that the trust chain is established for server certificates issued from the DoD CAs. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000066-GPOS-00034, SRG-OS-000403-GPOS-00182
SRG-OS-000066-GPOS-00034
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have the DoD Interoperability Root Certificate Authority (CA) cross-certificates installed in the Untrusted Certificates Store on unclassified systems.
Medium Severity
To ensure users do not experience denial of service when performing certificate-based authentication to DoD websites due to the system chaining to a root other than DoD Root CAs, the DoD Interoperability Root CA cross-certificates must be installed in the Untrusted Certificate Store. This requirement only applies to unclassified systems. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000066-GPOS-00034, SRG-OS-000403-GPOS-00182
SRG-OS-000066-GPOS-00034
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have the US DoD CCEB Interoperability Root CA cross-certificates in the Untrusted Certificates Store on unclassified systems.
Medium Severity
To ensure users do not experience denial of service when performing certificate-based authentication to DoD websites due to the system chaining to a root other than DoD Root CAs, the US DoD CCEB Interoperability Root CA cross-certificates must be installed in the Untrusted Certificate Store. This requirement only applies to unclassified systems. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000066-GPOS-00034, SRG-OS-000403-GPOS-00182
SRG-OS-000067-GPOS-00035
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 users must be required to enter a password to access private keys stored on the computer.
Medium Severity
If the private key is discovered, an attacker can use the key to authenticate as an authorized user and gain access to the network infrastructure. The cornerstone of the PKI is the private key used to encrypt or digitally sign information. If the private key is stolen, this will lead to the compromise of the authentication and non-repudiation gained through PKI because the attacker can use the private key to digitally sign documents and pretend to be the authorized user. Both the holders of a digital certificate and the issuing authority must protect the computers, storage devices, or whatever they use to keep the private keys.
SRG-OS-000069-GPOS-00037
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have the built-in Windows password complexity policy enabled.
Medium Severity
The use of complex passwords increases their strength against attack. The built-in Windows password complexity policy requires passwords to contain at least three of the four types of characters (numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and special characters) and prevents the inclusion of user names or parts of user names. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000069-GPOS-00037, SRG-OS-000070-GPOS-00038, SRG-OS-000071-GPOS-00039, SRG-OS-000266-GPOS-00101
SRG-OS-000073-GPOS-00041
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 reversible password encryption must be disabled.
High Severity
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.
SRG-OS-000073-GPOS-00041
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to prevent the storage of the LAN Manager hash of passwords.
High Severity
The LAN Manager hash uses a weak encryption algorithm and there are several tools available that use this hash to retrieve account passwords. This setting controls whether a LAN Manager hash of the password is stored in the SAM the next time the password is changed.
SRG-OS-000074-GPOS-00042
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 unencrypted passwords must not be sent to third-party Server Message Block (SMB) servers.
Medium Severity
Some non-Microsoft SMB servers only support unencrypted (plain-text) password authentication. Sending plain-text passwords across the network when authenticating to an SMB server reduces the overall security of the environment. Check with the vendor of the SMB server to determine if there is a way to support encrypted password authentication.
SRG-OS-000075-GPOS-00043
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 minimum password age must be configured to at least one day.
Medium Severity
Permitting passwords to be changed in immediate succession within the same day allows users to cycle passwords through their history database. This enables users to effectively negate the purpose of mandating periodic password changes.
SRG-OS-000076-GPOS-00044
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 passwords for the built-in Administrator account must be changed at least every 60 days.
Medium Severity
The longer a password is in use, the greater the opportunity for someone to gain unauthorized knowledge of the password. The built-in Administrator account is not generally used and its password might not be changed as frequently as necessary. Changing the password for the built-in Administrator account on a regular basis will limit its exposure. Windows LAPS must be used to change the built-in Administrator account password.
SRG-OS-000076-GPOS-00044
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 passwords must be configured to expire.
Medium Severity
Passwords that do not expire or are reused increase the exposure of a password with greater probability of being discovered or cracked.
SRG-OS-000076-GPOS-00044
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 maximum password age must be configured to 60 days or less.
Medium Severity
The longer a password is in use, the greater the opportunity for someone to gain unauthorized knowledge of the passwords. Scheduled changing of passwords hinders the ability of unauthorized system users to crack passwords and gain access to a system.
SRG-OS-000077-GPOS-00045
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 password history must be configured to 24 passwords remembered.
Medium Severity
A system is more vulnerable to unauthorized access when system users recycle the same password several times without being required to change to a unique password on a regularly scheduled basis. This enables users to effectively negate the purpose of mandating periodic password changes. The default value is "24" for Windows domain systems. DOD has decided this is the appropriate value for all Windows systems.
SRG-OS-000078-GPOS-00046
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 manually managed application account passwords must be at least 14 characters in length.
Medium Severity
Application/service account passwords must be of sufficient length to prevent being easily cracked. Application/service accounts that are manually managed must have passwords at least 14 characters in length.
SRG-OS-000078-GPOS-00046
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 minimum password length must be configured to 14 characters.
Medium Severity
Information systems not protected with strong password schemes (including passwords of minimum length) provide the opportunity for anyone to crack the password, thus gaining access to the system and compromising the device, information, or the local network.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 local volumes must use a format that supports NTFS attributes.
High Severity
The ability to set access permissions and auditing is critical to maintaining the security and proper access controls of a system. To support this, volumes must be formatted using a file system that supports NTFS attributes.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 non-administrative accounts or groups must only have print permissions on printer shares.
Low Severity
Windows shares are a means by which files, folders, printers, and other resources can be published for network users to access. Improper configuration can permit access to devices and data beyond a user's need.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Access this computer from the network user right must only be assigned to the Administrators, Authenticated Users, and Enterprise Domain Controllers groups on domain controllers.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Access this computer from the network" right may access resources on the system, and this right must be limited to those requiring it.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group on domain controllers.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services" user right can access a system through Remote Desktop.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Deny access to this computer from the network user right on domain controllers must be configured to prevent unauthenticated access.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Deny access to this computer from the network" user right defines the accounts that are prevented from logging on from the network. The Guests group must be assigned this right to prevent unauthenticated access.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Deny log on as a batch job user right on domain controllers must be configured to prevent unauthenticated access.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Deny log on as a batch job" user right defines accounts that are prevented from logging on to the system as a batch job, such as Task Scheduler. The Guests group must be assigned to prevent unauthenticated access.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Deny log on as a service user right must be configured to include no accounts or groups (blank) on domain controllers.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Deny log on as a service" user right defines accounts that are denied logon as a service. Incorrect configurations could prevent services from starting and result in a denial of service.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Deny log on locally user right on domain controllers must be configured to prevent unauthenticated access.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Deny log on locally" user right defines accounts that are prevented from logging on interactively. The Guests group must be assigned this right to prevent unauthenticated access.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 "Access this computer from the network" user right must only be assigned to the Administrators and Authenticated Users groups on domain-joined member servers and standalone or nondomain-joined systems.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Access this computer from the network" user right may access resources on the system, and this right must be limited to those requiring it.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 "Deny access to this computer from the network" user right on domain-joined member servers must be configured to prevent access from highly privileged domain accounts and local accounts and from unauthenticated access on all systems.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Deny access to this computer from the network" user right defines the accounts that are prevented from logging on from the network. In an Active Directory Domain, denying logons to the Enterprise Admins and Domain Admins groups on lower-trust systems helps mitigate the risk of privilege escalation from credential theft attacks, which could lead to the compromise of an entire domain. Local accounts on domain-joined systems must also be assigned this right to decrease the risk of lateral movement resulting from credential theft attacks. The Guests group must be assigned this right to prevent unauthenticated access.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 "Deny log on as a batch job" user right on domain-joined member servers must be configured to prevent access from highly privileged domain accounts and from unauthenticated access on all systems.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Deny log on as a batch job" user right defines accounts that are prevented from logging on to the system as a batch job, such as Task Scheduler. In an Active Directory Domain, denying logons to the Enterprise Admins and Domain Admins groups on lower-trust systems helps mitigate the risk of privilege escalation from credential theft attacks, which could lead to the compromise of an entire domain. The Guests group must be assigned to prevent unauthenticated access.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 "Deny log on as a service" user right on domain-joined member servers must be configured to prevent access from highly privileged domain accounts. No other groups or accounts must be assigned this right.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Deny log on as a service" user right defines accounts that are denied logon as a service. In an Active Directory Domain, denying logons to the Enterprise Admins and Domain Admins groups on lower-trust systems helps mitigate the risk of privilege escalation from credential theft attacks, which could lead to the compromise of an entire domain. Incorrect configurations could prevent services from starting and result in a denial of service.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 "Deny log on locally" user right on domain-joined member servers must be configured to prevent access from highly privileged domain accounts and from unauthenticated access on all systems.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Deny log on locally" user right defines accounts that are prevented from logging on interactively. In an Active Directory Domain, denying logons to the Enterprise Admins and Domain Admins groups on lower-trust systems helps mitigate the risk of privilege escalation from credential theft attacks, which could lead to the compromise of an entire domain. The Guests group must be assigned this right to prevent unauthenticated access.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Allow log on locally user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Allow log on locally" user right can log on interactively to a system.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have the roles and features required by the system documented.
Medium Severity
Unnecessary roles and features increase the attack surface of a system. Limiting roles and features of a system to only those necessary reduces this potential. The standard installation option (previously called Server Core) further reduces this when selected at installation.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must not have the Fax Server role installed.
Medium Severity
Unnecessary services increase the attack surface of a system. Some of these services may not support required levels of authentication or encryption or may provide unauthorized access to the system.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must not have the Peer Name Resolution Protocol installed.
Medium Severity
Unnecessary services increase the attack surface of a system. Some of these services may not support required levels of authentication or encryption or may provide unauthorized access to the system.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must not have Simple TCP/IP Services installed.
Medium Severity
Unnecessary services increase the attack surface of a system. Some of these services may not support required levels of authentication or encryption or may provide unauthorized access to the system.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must not have the TFTP Client installed.
Medium Severity
Unnecessary services increase the attack surface of a system. Some of these services may not support required levels of authentication or encryption or may provide unauthorized access to the system.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must not have the Server Message Block (SMB) v1 protocol installed.
Medium Severity
SMBv1 is a legacy protocol that uses the MD5 algorithm as part of SMB. MD5 is known to be vulnerable to a number of attacks such as collision and preimage attacks and is not FIPS compliant.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have the Server Message Block (SMB) v1 protocol disabled on the SMB server.
Medium Severity
SMBv1 is a legacy protocol that uses the MD5 algorithm as part of SMB. MD5 is known to be vulnerable to a number of attacks such as collision and preimage attacks as well as not being FIPS compliant.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have the Server Message Block (SMB) v1 protocol disabled on the SMB client.
Medium Severity
SMBv1 is a legacy protocol that uses the MD5 algorithm as part of SMB. MD5 is known to be vulnerable to a number of attacks such as collision and preimage attacks as well as not being FIPS compliant.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must not have Windows PowerShell 2.0 installed.
Medium Severity
Windows PowerShell 5.x added advanced logging features that can provide additional detail when malware has been run on a system. Disabling the Windows PowerShell 2.0 mitigates against a downgrade attack that evades the Windows PowerShell 5.x script block logging feature.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must prevent the display of slide shows on the lock screen.
Medium Severity
Slide shows that are displayed on the lock screen could display sensitive information to unauthorized personnel. Turning off this feature will limit access to the information to a logged-on user.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have WDigest Authentication disabled.
Medium Severity
When the WDigest Authentication protocol is enabled, plain-text passwords are stored in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS), exposing them to theft. WDigest is disabled by default in Windows Server 2019. This setting ensures this is enforced.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 downloading print driver packages over HTTP must be turned off.
Medium Severity
Some features may communicate with the vendor, sending system information or downloading data or components for the feature. Turning off this capability will prevent potentially sensitive information from being sent outside the enterprise and will prevent uncontrolled updates to the system. This setting prevents the computer from downloading print driver packages over HTTP.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 printing over HTTP must be turned off.
Medium Severity
Some features may communicate with the vendor, sending system information or downloading data or components for the feature. Turning off this capability will prevent potentially sensitive information from being sent outside the enterprise and will prevent uncontrolled updates to the system. This setting prevents the client computer from printing over HTTP, which allows the computer to print to printers on the intranet as well as the Internet.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 network selection user interface (UI) must not be displayed on the logon screen.
Medium Severity
Enabling interaction with the network selection UI allows users to change connections to available networks without signing in to Windows.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Application Compatibility Program Inventory must be prevented from collecting data and sending the information to Microsoft.
Low Severity
Some features may communicate with the vendor, sending system information or downloading data or components for the feature. Turning off this capability will prevent potentially sensitive information from being sent outside the enterprise and will prevent uncontrolled updates to the system. This setting will prevent the Program Inventory from collecting data about a system and sending the information to Microsoft.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Windows Defender SmartScreen must be enabled.
Medium Severity
Windows Defender SmartScreen helps protect systems from programs downloaded from the internet that may be malicious. Enabling SmartScreen can block potentially malicious programs or warn users.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must disable Basic authentication for RSS feeds over HTTP.
Medium Severity
Basic authentication uses plain-text passwords that could be used to compromise a system. Disabling Basic authentication will reduce this potential.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must prevent Indexing of encrypted files.
Medium Severity
Indexing of encrypted files may expose sensitive data. This setting prevents encrypted files from being indexed.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 domain controllers must run on a machine dedicated to that function.
Medium Severity
Executing application servers on the same host machine with a directory server may substantially weaken the security of the directory server. Web or database server applications usually require the addition of many programs and accounts, increasing the attack surface of the computer. Some applications require the addition of privileged accounts, providing potential sources of compromise. Some applications (such as Microsoft Exchange) may require the use of network ports or services conflicting with the directory server. In this case, non-standard ports might be selected, and this could interfere with intrusion detection or prevention services.
SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 local users on domain-joined member servers must not be enumerated.
Medium Severity
The username is one part of logon credentials that could be used to gain access to a system. Preventing the enumeration of users limits this information to authorized personnel.
SRG-OS-000096-GPOS-00050
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must not have the Microsoft FTP service installed unless required by the organization.
Medium Severity
Unnecessary services increase the attack surface of a system. Some of these services may not support required levels of authentication or encryption.
SRG-OS-000096-GPOS-00050
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must not have the Telnet Client installed.
Medium Severity
Unnecessary services increase the attack surface of a system. Some of these services may not support required levels of authentication or encryption or may provide unauthorized access to the system.
SRG-OS-000104-GPOS-00051
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 shared user accounts must not be permitted.
Medium Severity
Shared accounts (accounts where two or more people log on with the same user identification) do not provide adequate identification and authentication. There is no way to provide for nonrepudiation or individual accountability for system access and resource usage.
SRG-OS-000104-GPOS-00051
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 accounts must require passwords.
Medium Severity
The lack of password protection enables anyone to gain access to the information system, which opens a backdoor opportunity for intruders to compromise the system as well as other resources. Accounts on a system must require passwords.
SRG-OS-000105-GPOS-00052
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Active Directory user accounts, including administrators, must be configured to require the use of a Common Access Card (CAC), Personal Identity Verification (PIV)-compliant hardware token, or Alternate Logon Token (ALT) for user authentication.
Medium Severity
Smart cards such as the CAC support a two-factor authentication technique. This provides a higher level of trust in the asserted identity than use of the username and password for authentication. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000105-GPOS-00052, SRG-OS-000106-GPOS-00053, SRG-OS-000107-GPOS-00054, SRG-OS-000108-GPOS-00055, SRG-OS-000375-GPOS-00160
SRG-OS-000112-GPOS-00057
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Kerberos user logon restrictions must be enforced.
Medium Severity
This policy setting determines whether the Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC) validates every request for a session ticket against the user rights policy of the target computer. The policy is enabled by default, which is the most secure setting for validating that access to target resources is not circumvented. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000112-GPOS-00057, SRG-OS-000113-GPOS-00058
SRG-OS-000112-GPOS-00057
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Kerberos service ticket maximum lifetime must be limited to 600 minutes or less.
Medium Severity
This setting determines the maximum amount of time (in minutes) that a granted session ticket can be used to access a particular service. Session tickets are used only to authenticate new connections with servers. Ongoing operations are not interrupted if the session ticket used to authenticate the connection expires during the connection. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000112-GPOS-00057, SRG-OS-000113-GPOS-00058
SRG-OS-000112-GPOS-00057
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Kerberos user ticket lifetime must be limited to 10 hours or less.
Medium Severity
In Kerberos, there are two types of tickets: Ticket Granting Tickets (TGTs) and Service Tickets. Kerberos tickets have a limited lifetime so the time an attacker has to implement an attack is limited. This policy controls how long TGTs can be renewed. With Kerberos, the user's initial authentication to the domain controller results in a TGT, which is then used to request Service Tickets to resources. Upon startup, each computer gets a TGT before requesting a service ticket to the domain controller and any other computers it needs to access. For services that start up under a specified user account, users must always get a TGT first and then get Service Tickets to all computers and services accessed. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000112-GPOS-00057, SRG-OS-000113-GPOS-00058
SRG-OS-000112-GPOS-00057
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Kerberos policy user ticket renewal maximum lifetime must be limited to seven days or less.
Medium Severity
This setting determines the period of time (in days) during which a user's TGT may be renewed. This security configuration limits the amount of time an attacker has to crack the TGT and gain access. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000112-GPOS-00057, SRG-OS-000113-GPOS-00058
SRG-OS-000112-GPOS-00057
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 computer clock synchronization tolerance must be limited to five minutes or less.
Medium Severity
This setting determines the maximum time difference (in minutes) that Kerberos will tolerate between the time on a client's clock and the time on a server's clock while still considering the two clocks synchronous. To prevent replay attacks, Kerberos uses timestamps as part of its protocol definition. For timestamps to work properly, the clocks of the client and the server need to be in sync as much as possible. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000112-GPOS-00057, SRG-OS-000113-GPOS-00058
SRG-OS-000118-GPOS-00060
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 outdated or unused accounts must be removed or disabled.
Medium Severity
Outdated or unused accounts provide penetration points that may go undetected. Inactive accounts must be deleted if no longer necessary or, if still required, disabled until needed.
SRG-OS-000120-GPOS-00061
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Kerberos encryption types must be configured to prevent the use of DES and RC4 encryption suites.
Medium Severity
Certain encryption types are no longer considered secure. The DES and RC4 encryption suites must not be used for Kerberos encryption. Note: Organizations with domain controllers running earlier versions of Windows where RC4 encryption is enabled, selecting "The other domain supports Kerberos AES Encryption" on domain trusts, may be required to allow client communication across the trust relationship.
SRG-OS-000121-GPOS-00062
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have the built-in guest account disabled.
Medium Severity
A system faces an increased vulnerability threat if the built-in guest account is not disabled. This is a known account that exists on all Windows systems and cannot be deleted. This account is initialized during the installation of the operating system with no password assigned.
SRG-OS-000123-GPOS-00064
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must automatically remove or disable emergency accounts after the crisis is resolved or within 72 hours.
Medium Severity
Emergency administrator accounts are privileged accounts established in response to crisis situations where the need for rapid account activation is required. Therefore, emergency account activation may bypass normal account authorization processes. If these accounts are automatically disabled, system maintenance during emergencies may not be possible, thus adversely affecting system availability. Emergency administrator accounts are different from infrequently used accounts (i.e., local logon accounts used by system administrators when network or normal logon/access is not available). Infrequently used accounts are not subject to automatic termination dates. Emergency accounts are accounts created in response to crisis situations, usually for use by maintenance personnel. The automatic expiration or disabling time period may be extended as needed until the crisis is resolved; however, it must not be extended indefinitely. A permanent account should be established for privileged users who need long-term maintenance accounts. To address access requirements, many operating systems can be integrated with enterprise-level authentication/access mechanisms that meet or exceed access control policy requirements.
SRG-OS-000125-GPOS-00065
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Windows Remote Management (WinRM) client must not use Basic authentication.
High Severity
Basic authentication uses plain-text passwords that could be used to compromise a system. Disabling Basic authentication will reduce this potential.
SRG-OS-000125-GPOS-00065
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Windows Remote Management (WinRM) client must not use Digest authentication.
Medium Severity
Digest authentication is not as strong as other options and may be subject to man-in-the-middle attacks. Disallowing Digest authentication will reduce this potential.
SRG-OS-000125-GPOS-00065
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Windows Remote Management (WinRM) service must not use Basic authentication.
High Severity
Basic authentication uses plain-text passwords that could be used to compromise a system. Disabling Basic authentication will reduce this potential.
SRG-OS-000134-GPOS-00068
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 administrator accounts must not be enumerated during elevation.
Medium Severity
Enumeration of administrator accounts when elevating can provide part of the logon information to an unauthorized user. This setting configures the system to always require users to type in a username and password to elevate a running application.
SRG-OS-000134-GPOS-00068
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 local administrator accounts must have their privileged token filtered to prevent elevated privileges from being used over the network on domain-joined member servers.
Medium Severity
A compromised local administrator account can provide means for an attacker to move laterally between domain systems. With User Account Control enabled, filtering the privileged token for local administrator accounts will prevent the elevated privileges of these accounts from being used over the network.
SRG-OS-000134-GPOS-00068
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 UIAccess applications must not be allowed to prompt for elevation without using the secure desktop.
Medium Severity
User Account Control (UAC) is a security mechanism for limiting the elevation of privileges, including administrative accounts, unless authorized. This setting prevents User Interface Accessibility programs from disabling the secure desktop for elevation prompts.
SRG-OS-000134-GPOS-00068
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 User Account Control must, at a minimum, prompt administrators for consent on the secure desktop.
Medium Severity
User Account Control (UAC) is a security mechanism for limiting the elevation of privileges, including administrative accounts, unless authorized. This setting configures the elevation requirements for logged-on administrators to complete a task that requires raised privileges.
SRG-OS-000134-GPOS-00068
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 User Account Control must be configured to detect application installations and prompt for elevation.
Medium Severity
User Account Control (UAC) is a security mechanism for limiting the elevation of privileges, including administrative accounts, unless authorized. This setting requires Windows to respond to application installation requests by prompting for credentials.
SRG-OS-000134-GPOS-00068
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 User Account Control (UAC) must only elevate UIAccess applications that are installed in secure locations.
Medium Severity
UAC is a security mechanism for limiting the elevation of privileges, including administrative accounts, unless authorized. This setting configures Windows to only allow applications installed in a secure location on the file system, such as the Program Files or the Windows\System32 folders, to run with elevated privileges.
SRG-OS-000134-GPOS-00068
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 User Account Control (UAC) must virtualize file and registry write failures to per-user locations.
Medium Severity
UAC is a security mechanism for limiting the elevation of privileges, including administrative accounts, unless authorized. This setting configures non-UAC-compliant applications to run in virtualized file and registry entries in per-user locations, allowing them to run.
SRG-OS-000138-GPOS-00069
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 non-system-created file shares must limit access to groups that require it.
Medium Severity
Shares on a system provide network access. To prevent exposing sensitive information, where shares are necessary, permissions must be reconfigured to give the minimum access to accounts that require it.
SRG-OS-000138-GPOS-00069
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop Services must prevent drive redirection.
Medium Severity
Preventing users from sharing the local drives on their client computers with Remote Session Hosts that they access helps reduce possible exposure of sensitive data.
SRG-OS-000138-GPOS-00069
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 data files owned by users must be on a different logical partition from the directory server data files.
Medium Severity
When directory service data files, especially for directories used for identification, authentication, or authorization, reside on the same logical partition as user-owned files, the directory service data may be more vulnerable to unauthorized access or other availability compromises. Directory service and user-owned data files sharing a partition may be configured with less restrictive permissions in order to allow access to the user data. The directory service may be vulnerable to a denial of service attack when user-owned files on a common partition are expanded to an extent preventing the directory service from acquiring more space for directory or audit data.
SRG-OS-000138-GPOS-00069
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must not allow anonymous enumeration of shares.
High Severity
Allowing anonymous logon users (null session connections) to list all account names and enumerate all shared resources can provide a map of potential points to attack the system.
SRG-OS-000138-GPOS-00069
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must restrict anonymous access to Named Pipes and Shares.
High Severity
Allowing anonymous access to named pipes or shares provides the potential for unauthorized system access. This setting restricts access to those defined in "Network access: Named Pipes that can be accessed anonymously" and "Network access: Shares that can be accessed anonymously", both of which must be blank under other requirements.
SRG-OS-000163-GPOS-00072
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 directory service must be configured to terminate LDAP-based network connections to the directory server after five minutes of inactivity.
Low Severity
The failure to terminate inactive network connections increases the risk of a successful attack on the directory server. The longer an established session is in progress, the more time an attacker has to hijack the session, implement a means to passively intercept data, or compromise any protections on client access. For example, if an attacker gains control of a client computer, an existing (already authenticated) session with the directory server could allow access to the directory. The lack of confidentiality protection in LDAP-based sessions increases exposure to this vulnerability.
SRG-OS-000185-GPOS-00079
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 systems requiring data at rest protections must employ cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized disclosure and modification of the information at rest.
High Severity
This requirement addresses protection of user-generated data as well as operating system-specific configuration data. Organizations may choose to employ different mechanisms to achieve confidentiality and integrity protections, as appropriate, in accordance with the security category and/or classification of the information. Selection of a cryptographic mechanism is based on the need to protect the integrity of organizational information. The strength of the mechanism is commensurate with the security category and/or classification of the information. Organizations have the flexibility to either encrypt all information on storage devices (i.e., full disk encryption) or encrypt specific data structures (e.g., files, records, or fields). Satisfies: SRG-OS-000185-GPOS-00079, SRG-OS-000404-GPOS-00183, SRG-OS-000405-GPOS-00184
SRG-OS-000191-GPOS-00080
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must employ automated mechanisms to determine the state of system components with regard to flaw remediation using the following frequency: continuously, where Endpoint Security Solution (ESS) is used; 30 days, for any additional internal network scans not covered by ESS; and annually, for external scans by Computer Network Defense Service Provider (CNDSP).
Medium Severity
Without the use of automated mechanisms to scan for security flaws on a continuous and/or periodic basis, the operating system or other system components may remain vulnerable to the exploits presented by undetected software flaws. The operating system may have an integrated solution incorporating continuous scanning using ESS and periodic scanning using other tools.
SRG-OS-000240-GPOS-00090
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Logon/Logoff - Account Lockout failures.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Account Lockout events can be used to identify potentially malicious logon attempts. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000240-GPOS-00090, SRG-OS-000470-GPOS-00214
SRG-OS-000257-GPOS-00098
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Event Viewer must be protected from unauthorized modification and deletion.
Medium Severity
Protecting audit information also includes identifying and protecting the tools used to view and manipulate log data. Therefore, protecting audit tools is necessary to prevent unauthorized operation on audit information. Operating systems providing tools to interface with audit information will leverage user permissions and roles identifying the user accessing the tools and the corresponding rights the user enjoys in order to make access decisions regarding the modification or deletion of audit tools. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000257-GPOS-00098, SRG-OS-000258-GPOS-00099
SRG-OS-000297-GPOS-00115
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services user right on domain controllers must be configured to prevent unauthenticated access.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services" user right defines the accounts that are prevented from logging on using Remote Desktop Services. The Guests group must be assigned this right to prevent unauthenticated access.
SRG-OS-000297-GPOS-00115
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 "Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services" user right on domain-joined member servers must be configured to prevent access from highly privileged domain accounts and all local accounts and from unauthenticated access on all systems.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services" user right defines the accounts that are prevented from logging on using Remote Desktop Services. In an Active Directory Domain, denying logons to the Enterprise Admins and Domain Admins groups on lower-trust systems helps mitigate the risk of privilege escalation from credential theft attacks, which could lead to the compromise of an entire domain. Local accounts on domain-joined systems must also be assigned this right to decrease the risk of lateral movement resulting from credential theft attacks. The Guests group must be assigned this right to prevent unauthenticated access.
SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00122
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 permissions for the system drive root directory (usually C:\) must conform to minimum requirements.
Medium Severity
Changing the system's file and directory permissions allows the possibility of unauthorized and anonymous modification to the operating system and installed applications. The default permissions are adequate when the Security Option "Network access: Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users" is set to "Disabled" (WN19-SO-000240). Satisfies: SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00122, SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00123, SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00124
SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00122
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 permissions for program file directories must conform to minimum requirements.
Medium Severity
Changing the system's file and directory permissions allows the possibility of unauthorized and anonymous modification to the operating system and installed applications. The default permissions are adequate when the Security Option "Network access: Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users" is set to "Disabled" (WN19-SO-000240). Satisfies: SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00122, SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00123, SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00124
SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00122
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 permissions for the Windows installation directory must conform to minimum requirements.
Medium Severity
Changing the system's file and directory permissions allows the possibility of unauthorized and anonymous modification to the operating system and installed applications. The default permissions are adequate when the Security Option "Network access: Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users" is set to "Disabled" (WN19-SO-000240). Satisfies: SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00122, SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00123, SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00124
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 default permissions for the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry hive must be maintained.
Medium Severity
The registry is integral to the function, security, and stability of the Windows system. Changing the system's registry permissions allows the possibility of unauthorized and anonymous modification to the operating system.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must only allow administrators responsible for the domain controller to have Administrator rights on the system.
High Severity
An account that does not have Administrator duties must not have Administrator rights. Such rights would allow the account to bypass or modify required security restrictions on that machine and make it vulnerable to attack. System administrators must log on to systems using only accounts with the minimum level of authority necessary. Standard user accounts must not be members of the built-in Administrators group.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 permissions on the Active Directory data files must only allow System and Administrators access.
High Severity
Improper access permissions for directory data-related files could allow unauthorized users to read, modify, or delete directory data or audit trails.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Active Directory SYSVOL directory must have the proper access control permissions.
High Severity
Improper access permissions for directory data files could allow unauthorized users to read, modify, or delete directory data. The SYSVOL directory contains public files (to the domain) such as policies and logon scripts. Data in shared subdirectories are replicated to all domain controllers in a domain.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Active Directory Group Policy objects must have proper access control permissions.
High Severity
When directory service database objects do not have appropriate access control permissions, it may be possible for malicious users to create, read, update, or delete the objects and degrade or destroy the integrity of the data. When the directory service is used for identification, authentication, or authorization functions, a compromise of the database objects could lead to a compromise of all systems relying on the directory service. For Active Directory (AD), the Group Policy objects require special attention. In a distributed administration model (i.e., help desk), Group Policy objects are more likely to have access permissions changed from the secure defaults. If inappropriate access permissions are defined for Group Policy objects, this could allow an intruder to change the security policy applied to all domain client computers (workstations and servers).
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Active Directory Domain Controllers Organizational Unit (OU) object must have the proper access control permissions.
High Severity
When Active Directory objects do not have appropriate access control permissions, it may be possible for malicious users to create, read, update, or delete the objects and degrade or destroy the integrity of the data. When the directory service is used for identification, authentication, or authorization functions, a compromise of the database objects could lead to a compromise of all systems that rely on the directory service. The Domain Controllers OU object requires special attention as the Domain Controllers are central to the configuration and management of the domain. Inappropriate access permissions defined for the Domain Controllers OU could allow an intruder or unauthorized personnel to make changes that could lead to the compromise of the domain.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 organization created Active Directory Organizational Unit (OU) objects must have proper access control permissions.
High Severity
When directory service database objects do not have appropriate access control permissions, it may be possible for malicious users to create, read, update, or delete the objects and degrade or destroy the integrity of the data. When the directory service is used for identification, authentication, or authorization functions, a compromise of the database objects could lead to a compromise of all systems that rely on the directory service. For Active Directory, the OU objects require special attention. In a distributed administration model (i.e., help desk), OU objects are more likely to have access permissions changed from the secure defaults. If inappropriate access permissions are defined for OU objects, it could allow an intruder to add or delete users in the OU. This could result in unauthorized access to data or a denial of service (DoS) to authorized users.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Add workstations to domain user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group on domain controllers.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Add workstations to domain" right may add computers to a domain. This could result in unapproved or incorrectly configured systems being added to a domain.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Enable computer and user accounts to be trusted for delegation user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group on domain controllers.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Enable computer and user accounts to be trusted for delegation" user right allows the "Trusted for Delegation" setting to be changed. This could allow unauthorized users to impersonate other users.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must only allow Administrators responsible for the member server or standalone or nondomain-joined system to have Administrator rights on the system.
High Severity
An account that does not have Administrator duties must not have Administrator rights. Such rights would allow the account to bypass or modify required security restrictions on that machine and make it vulnerable to attack. System administrators must log on to systems using only accounts with the minimum level of authority necessary. For domain-joined member servers, the Domain Admins group must be replaced by a domain member server administrator group (refer to AD.0003 in the Active Directory Domain STIG). Restricting highly privileged accounts from the local Administrators group helps mitigate the risk of privilege escalation resulting from credential theft attacks. Standard user accounts must not be members of the built-in Administrators group.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must restrict remote calls to the Security Account Manager (SAM) to Administrators on domain-joined member servers and standalone or nondomain-joined systems.
Medium Severity
The Windows SAM stores users' passwords. Restricting Remote Procedure Call (RPC) connections to the SAM to Administrators helps protect those credentials.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 "Enable computer and user accounts to be trusted for delegation" user right must not be assigned to any groups or accounts on domain-joined member servers and standalone or nondomain-joined systems.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Enable computer and user accounts to be trusted for delegation" user right allows the "Trusted for Delegation" setting to be changed. This could allow unauthorized users to impersonate other users.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Access Credential Manager as a trusted caller user right must not be assigned to any groups or accounts.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Access Credential Manager as a trusted caller" user right may be able to retrieve the credentials of other accounts from Credential Manager.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Act as part of the operating system user right must not be assigned to any groups or accounts.
High Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Act as part of the operating system" user right can assume the identity of any user and gain access to resources that the user is authorized to access. Any accounts with this right can take complete control of a system.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Back up files and directories user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Back up files and directories" user right can circumvent file and directory permissions and could allow access to sensitive data.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Create a pagefile user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Create a pagefile" user right can change the size of a pagefile, which could affect system performance.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Create a token object user right must not be assigned to any groups or accounts.
High Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Create a token object" user right allows a process to create an access token. This could be used to provide elevated rights and compromise a system.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Create global objects user right must only be assigned to Administrators, Service, Local Service, and Network Service.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Create global objects" user right can create objects that are available to all sessions, which could affect processes in other users' sessions.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Create permanent shared objects user right must not be assigned to any groups or accounts.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Create permanent shared objects" user right could expose sensitive data by creating shared objects.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Create symbolic links user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Create symbolic links" user right can create pointers to other objects, which could expose the system to attack.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Debug programs: user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
High Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Debug programs" user right can attach a debugger to any process or to the kernel, providing complete access to sensitive and critical operating system components. This right is given to Administrators in the default configuration.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Force shutdown from a remote system user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Force shutdown from a remote system" user right can remotely shut down a system, which could result in a denial of service.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Generate security audits user right must only be assigned to Local Service and Network Service.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Generate security audits" user right specifies users and processes that can generate Security Log audit records, which must only be the system service accounts defined.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Impersonate a client after authentication user right must only be assigned to Administrators, Service, Local Service, and Network Service.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Impersonate a client after authentication" user right allows a program to impersonate another user or account to run on their behalf. An attacker could use this to elevate privileges.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Increase scheduling priority: user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Increase scheduling priority" user right can change a scheduling priority, causing performance issues or a denial of service.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Load and unload device drivers user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Load and unload device drivers" user right allows a user to load device drivers dynamically on a system. This could be used by an attacker to install malicious code.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Lock pages in memory user right must not be assigned to any groups or accounts.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Lock pages in memory" user right allows physical memory to be assigned to processes, which could cause performance issues or a denial of service.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Modify firmware environment values user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Modify firmware environment values" user right can change hardware configuration environment variables. This could result in hardware failures or a denial of service.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Perform volume maintenance tasks user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Perform volume maintenance tasks" user right can manage volume and disk configurations. This could be used to delete volumes, resulting in data loss or a denial of service.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Profile single process user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Profile single process" user right can monitor non-system processes performance. An attacker could use this to identify processes to attack.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Restore files and directories user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Restore files and directories" user right can circumvent file and directory permissions and could allow access to sensitive data. It could also be used to overwrite more current data.
SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Take ownership of files or other objects user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Medium Severity
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Take ownership of files or other objects" user right can take ownership of objects and make changes.
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Account Management - Other Account Management Events successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Other Account Management Events records events such as the access of a password hash or the Password Policy Checking API being called. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000064-GPOS-00033, SRG-OS-000462-GPOS-00206, SRG-OS-000466-GPOS-00210
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Detailed Tracking - Process Creation successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Process Creation records events related to the creation of a process and the source. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000471-GPOS-00215
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Policy Change - Audit Policy Change successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Audit Policy Change records events related to changes in audit policy. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Policy Change - Audit Policy Change failures.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Audit Policy Change records events related to changes in audit policy. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Policy Change - Authentication Policy Change successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Authentication Policy Change records events related to changes in authentication policy, including Kerberos policy and Trust changes. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000064-GPOS-00033, SRG-OS-000462-GPOS-00206, SRG-OS-000466-GPOS-00210
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Policy Change - Authorization Policy Change successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Authorization Policy Change records events related to changes in user rights, such as "Create a token object". Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000064-GPOS-00033, SRG-OS-000462-GPOS-00206, SRG-OS-000466-GPOS-00210
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Privilege Use - Sensitive Privilege Use successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Sensitive Privilege Use records events related to use of sensitive privileges, such as "Act as part of the operating system" or "Debug programs". Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000064-GPOS-00033, SRG-OS-000462-GPOS-00206, SRG-OS-000466-GPOS-00210
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Privilege Use - Sensitive Privilege Use failures.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Sensitive Privilege Use records events related to use of sensitive privileges, such as "Act as part of the operating system" or "Debug programs". Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000064-GPOS-00033, SRG-OS-000462-GPOS-00206, SRG-OS-000466-GPOS-00210
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit System - IPsec Driver successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. IPsec Driver records events related to the IPsec Driver, such as dropped packets. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit System - IPsec Driver failures.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. IPsec Driver records events related to the IPsec Driver, such as dropped packets. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit System - Other System Events successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Audit Other System Events records information related to cryptographic key operations and the Windows Firewall service. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit System - Other System Events failures.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Audit Other System Events records information related to cryptographic key operations and the Windows Firewall service. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit System - Security State Change successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Security State Change records events related to changes in the security state, such as startup and shutdown of the system. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit System - Security System Extension successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Security System Extension records events related to extension code being loaded by the security subsystem. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit System - System Integrity successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. System Integrity records events related to violations of integrity to the security subsystem. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000471-GPOS-00215, SRG-OS-000471-GPOS-00216, SRG-OS-000477-GPOS-00222
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit System - System Integrity failures.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. System Integrity records events related to violations of integrity to the security subsystem. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000471-GPOS-00215, SRG-OS-000471-GPOS-00216, SRG-OS-000477-GPOS-00222
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Active Directory Group Policy objects must be configured with proper audit settings.
Medium Severity
When inappropriate audit settings are configured for directory service database objects, it may be possible for a user or process to update the data without generating any tracking data. The impact of missing audit data is related to the type of object. A failure to capture audit data for objects used by identification, authentication, or authorization functions could degrade or eliminate the ability to track changes to access policy for systems or data. For Active Directory (AD), there are a number of critical object types in the domain naming context of the AD database for which auditing is essential. This includes Group Policy objects. Because changes to these objects can significantly impact access controls or the availability of systems, the absence of auditing data makes it impossible to identify the source of changes that impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems throughout an AD domain. The lack of proper auditing can result in insufficient forensic evidence needed to investigate an incident and prosecute the intruder. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Active Directory Domain object must be configured with proper audit settings.
Medium Severity
When inappropriate audit settings are configured for directory service database objects, it may be possible for a user or process to update the data without generating any tracking data. The impact of missing audit data is related to the type of object. A failure to capture audit data for objects used by identification, authentication, or authorization functions could degrade or eliminate the ability to track changes to access policy for systems or data. For Active Directory (AD), there are a number of critical object types in the domain naming context of the AD database for which auditing is essential. This includes the Domain object. Because changes to these objects can significantly impact access controls or the availability of systems, the absence of auditing data makes it impossible to identify the source of changes that impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems throughout an AD domain. The lack of proper auditing can result in insufficient forensic evidence needed to investigate an incident and prosecute the intruder. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Active Directory Infrastructure object must be configured with proper audit settings.
Medium Severity
When inappropriate audit settings are configured for directory service database objects, it may be possible for a user or process to update the data without generating any tracking data. The impact of missing audit data is related to the type of object. A failure to capture audit data for objects used by identification, authentication, or authorization functions could degrade or eliminate the ability to track changes to access policy for systems or data. For Active Directory (AD), there are a number of critical object types in the domain naming context of the AD database for which auditing is essential. This includes the Infrastructure object. Because changes to these objects can significantly impact access controls or the availability of systems, the absence of auditing data makes it impossible to identify the source of changes that impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems throughout an AD domain. The lack of proper auditing can result in insufficient forensic evidence needed to investigate an incident and prosecute the intruder. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Active Directory Domain Controllers Organizational Unit (OU) object must be configured with proper audit settings.
Medium Severity
When inappropriate audit settings are configured for directory service database objects, it may be possible for a user or process to update the data without generating any tracking data. The impact of missing audit data is related to the type of object. A failure to capture audit data for objects used by identification, authentication, or authorization functions could degrade or eliminate the ability to track changes to access policy for systems or data. For Active Directory (AD), there are a number of critical object types in the domain naming context of the AD database for which auditing is essential. This includes the Domain Controller OU object. Because changes to these objects can significantly impact access controls or the availability of systems, the absence of auditing data makes it impossible to identify the source of changes that impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems throughout an AD domain. The lack of proper auditing can result in insufficient forensic evidence needed to investigate an incident and prosecute the intruder. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Active Directory AdminSDHolder object must be configured with proper audit settings.
Medium Severity
When inappropriate audit settings are configured for directory service database objects, it may be possible for a user or process to update the data without generating any tracking data. The impact of missing audit data is related to the type of object. A failure to capture audit data for objects used by identification, authentication, or authorization functions could degrade or eliminate the ability to track changes to access policy for systems or data. For Active Directory (AD), there are a number of critical object types in the domain naming context of the AD database for which auditing is essential. This includes the AdminSDHolder object. Because changes to these objects can significantly impact access controls or the availability of systems, the absence of auditing data makes it impossible to identify the source of changes that impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems throughout an AD domain. The lack of proper auditing can result in insufficient forensic evidence needed to investigate an incident and prosecute the intruder. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Active Directory RID Manager$ object must be configured with proper audit settings.
Medium Severity
When inappropriate audit settings are configured for directory service database objects, it may be possible for a user or process to update the data without generating any tracking data. The impact of missing audit data is related to the type of object. A failure to capture audit data for objects used by identification, authentication, or authorization functions could degrade or eliminate the ability to track changes to access policy for systems or data. For Active Directory (AD), there are a number of critical object types in the domain naming context of the AD database for which auditing is essential. This includes the RID Manager$ object. Because changes to these objects can significantly impact access controls or the availability of systems, the absence of auditing data makes it impossible to identify the source of changes that impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems throughout an AD domain. The lack of proper auditing can result in insufficient forensic evidence needed to investigate an incident and prosecute the intruder. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit DS Access - Directory Service Access successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Audit Directory Service Access records events related to users accessing an Active Directory object. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit DS Access - Directory Service Access failures.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Audit Directory Service Access records events related to users accessing an Active Directory object. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit DS Access - Directory Service Changes successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Audit Directory Service Changes records events related to changes made to objects in Active Directory Domain Services. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212
SRG-OS-000329-GPOS-00128
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 account lockout duration must be configured to 15 minutes or greater.
Medium Severity
The account lockout feature, when enabled, prevents brute-force password attacks on the system. This parameter specifies the period of time that an account will remain locked after the specified number of failed logon attempts.
SRG-OS-000341-GPOS-00132
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Application event log size must be configured to 32768 KB or greater.
Medium Severity
Inadequate log size will cause the log to fill up quickly. This may prevent audit events from being recorded properly and require frequent attention by administrative personnel.
SRG-OS-000341-GPOS-00132
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Security event log size must be configured to 196608 KB or greater.
Medium Severity
Inadequate log size will cause the log to fill up quickly. This may prevent audit events from being recorded properly and require frequent attention by administrative personnel.
SRG-OS-000341-GPOS-00132
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 System event log size must be configured to 32768 KB or greater.
Medium Severity
Inadequate log size will cause the log to fill up quickly. This may prevent audit events from being recorded properly and require frequent attention by administrative personnel.
SRG-OS-000342-GPOS-00133
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 audit records must be backed up to a different system or media than the system being audited.
Medium Severity
Protection of log data includes assuring the log data is not accidentally lost or deleted. Audit information stored in one location is vulnerable to accidental or incidental deletion or alteration.
SRG-OS-000355-GPOS-00143
1 Rule
The Windows Server 2019 time service must synchronize with an appropriate DOD time source.
Low Severity
The Windows Time Service controls time synchronization settings. Time synchronization is essential for authentication and auditing purposes. If the Windows Time Service is used, it must synchronize with a secure, authorized time source. Domain-joined systems are automatically configured to synchronize with domain controllers. If an NTP server is configured, it must synchronize with a secure, authorized time source.
SRG-OS-000362-GPOS-00149
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must prevent users from changing installation options.
Medium Severity
Installation options for applications are typically controlled by administrators. This setting prevents users from changing installation options that may bypass security features.
SRG-OS-000362-GPOS-00149
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must disable the Windows Installer Always install with elevated privileges option.
High Severity
Standard user accounts must not be granted elevated privileges. Enabling Windows Installer to elevate privileges when installing applications can allow malicious persons and applications to gain full control of a system.
SRG-OS-000363-GPOS-00150
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 system files must be monitored for unauthorized changes.
Medium Severity
Monitoring system files for changes against a baseline on a regular basis may help detect the possible introduction of malicious code on a system.
SRG-OS-000368-GPOS-00154
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Autoplay must be turned off for non-volume devices.
High Severity
Allowing AutoPlay to execute may introduce malicious code to a system. AutoPlay begins reading from a drive as soon as media is inserted into the drive. As a result, the setup file of programs or music on audio media may start. This setting will disable AutoPlay for non-volume devices, such as Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) devices.
SRG-OS-000368-GPOS-00154
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 default AutoRun behavior must be configured to prevent AutoRun commands.
High Severity
Allowing AutoRun commands to execute may introduce malicious code to a system. Configuring this setting prevents AutoRun commands from executing.
SRG-OS-000368-GPOS-00154
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 AutoPlay must be disabled for all drives.
High Severity
Allowing AutoPlay to execute may introduce malicious code to a system. AutoPlay begins reading from a drive as soon media is inserted into the drive. As a result, the setup file of programs or music on audio media may start. By default, AutoPlay is disabled on removable drives, such as the floppy disk drive (but not the CD-ROM drive) and on network drives. Enabling this policy disables AutoPlay on all drives.
SRG-OS-000370-GPOS-00155
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must employ a deny-all, permit-by-exception policy to allow the execution of authorized software programs.
Medium Severity
Using an allowlist provides a configuration management method to allow the execution of only authorized software. Using only authorized software decreases risk by limiting the number of potential vulnerabilities. The organization must identify authorized software programs and only permit execution of authorized software. The process used to identify software programs that are authorized to execute on organizational information systems is commonly referred to as allowlisting.
SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must not save passwords in the Remote Desktop Client.
Medium Severity
Saving passwords in the Remote Desktop Client could allow an unauthorized user to establish a remote desktop session to another system. The system must be configured to prevent users from saving passwords in the Remote Desktop Client. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157, SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00156
SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop Services must always prompt a client for passwords upon connection.
Medium Severity
This setting controls the ability of users to supply passwords automatically as part of their remote desktop connection. Disabling this setting would allow anyone to use the stored credentials in a connection item to connect to the terminal server. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157, SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00156
SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Windows Remote Management (WinRM) service must not store RunAs credentials.
Medium Severity
Storage of administrative credentials could allow unauthorized access. Disallowing the storage of RunAs credentials for Windows Remote Management will prevent them from being used with plug-ins. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157, SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00156
SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 User Account Control approval mode for the built-in Administrator must be enabled.
Medium Severity
User Account Control (UAC) is a security mechanism for limiting the elevation of privileges, including administrative accounts, unless authorized. This setting configures the built-in Administrator account so that it runs in Admin Approval Mode. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157, SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00156
SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 User Account Control must automatically deny standard user requests for elevation.
Medium Severity
User Account Control (UAC) is a security mechanism for limiting the elevation of privileges, including administrative accounts, unless authorized. This setting controls the behavior of elevation when requested by a standard user account. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157, SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00156
SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 User Account Control must run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode, enabling UAC.
Medium Severity
User Account Control (UAC) is a security mechanism for limiting the elevation of privileges, including administrative accounts, unless authorized. This setting enables UAC. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157, SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00156
SRG-OS-000379-GPOS-00164
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must restrict unauthenticated Remote Procedure Call (RPC) clients from connecting to the RPC server on domain-joined member servers and standalone or nondomain-joined systems.
Medium Severity
Unauthenticated RPC clients may allow anonymous access to sensitive information. Configuring RPC to restrict unauthenticated RPC clients from connecting to the RPC server will prevent anonymous connections.
SRG-OS-000379-GPOS-00164
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 computer account password must not be prevented from being reset.
Medium Severity
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 the system. A new password for the computer account will be generated every 30 days.
SRG-OS-000393-GPOS-00173
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Windows Remote Management (WinRM) client must not allow unencrypted traffic.
Medium Severity
Unencrypted remote access to a system can allow sensitive information to be compromised. Windows remote management connections must be encrypted to prevent this. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000393-GPOS-00173, SRG-OS-000394-GPOS-00174
SRG-OS-000393-GPOS-00173
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Windows Remote Management (WinRM) service must not allow unencrypted traffic.
Medium Severity
Unencrypted remote access to a system can allow sensitive information to be compromised. Windows remote management connections must be encrypted to prevent this. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000393-GPOS-00173, SRG-OS-000394-GPOS-00174
SRG-OS-000396-GPOS-00176
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must use separate, NSA-approved (Type 1) cryptography to protect the directory data in transit for directory service implementations at a classified confidentiality level when replication data traverses a network cleared to a lower level than the data.
Medium Severity
Directory data that is not appropriately encrypted is subject to compromise. Commercial-grade encryption does not provide adequate protection when the classification level of directory data in transit is higher than the level of the network.
SRG-OS-000420-GPOS-00186
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to ignore NetBIOS name release requests except from WINS servers.
Low Severity
Configuring the system to ignore name release requests, except from WINS servers, prevents a denial of service (DoS) attack. The DoS consists of sending a NetBIOS name release request to the server for each entry in the server's cache, causing a response delay in the normal operation of the server's WINS resolution capability.
SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 domain controllers must require LDAP access signing.
Medium Severity
Unsigned network traffic is susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks, where an intruder captures packets between the server and the client and modifies them before forwarding them to the client. In the case of an LDAP server, this means that an attacker could cause a client to make decisions based on false records from the LDAP directory. The risk of an attacker pulling this off can be decreased by implementing strong physical security measures to protect the network infrastructure. Furthermore, implementing Internet Protocol security (IPsec) authentication header mode (AH), which performs mutual authentication and packet integrity for Internet Protocol (IP) traffic, can make all types of man-in-the-middle attacks extremely difficult. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187, SRG-OS-000424-GPOS-00188
SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 setting Domain member: Digitally encrypt or sign secure channel data (always) must be configured to Enabled.
Medium Severity
Requests sent on the secure channel are authenticated, and sensitive information (such as passwords) is encrypted, but not all information is encrypted. If this policy is enabled, outgoing secure channel traffic will be encrypted and signed. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187, SRG-OS-000424-GPOS-00188
SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 setting Domain member: Digitally encrypt secure channel data (when possible) must be configured to enabled.
Medium Severity
Requests sent on the secure channel are authenticated, and sensitive information (such as passwords) is encrypted, but not all information is encrypted. If this policy is enabled, outgoing secure channel traffic will be encrypted. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187, SRG-OS-000424-GPOS-00188
SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 setting Domain member: Digitally sign secure channel data (when possible) must be configured to Enabled.
Medium Severity
Requests sent on the secure channel are authenticated, and sensitive information (such as passwords) is encrypted, but the channel is not integrity checked. If this policy is enabled, outgoing secure channel traffic will be signed. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187, SRG-OS-000424-GPOS-00188
SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to require a strong session key.
Medium Severity
A computer connecting to a domain controller will establish a secure channel. The secure channel connection may be subject to compromise, such as hijacking or eavesdropping, if strong session keys are not used to establish the connection. Requiring strong session keys enforces 128-bit encryption between systems. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187, SRG-OS-000424-GPOS-00188
SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 setting Microsoft network client: Digitally sign communications (always) must be configured to Enabled.
Medium Severity
The server message block (SMB) protocol provides the basis for many network operations. Digitally signed SMB packets aid in preventing man-in-the-middle attacks. If this policy is enabled, the SMB client will only communicate with an SMB server that performs SMB packet signing. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187, SRG-OS-000424-GPOS-00188
SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 setting Microsoft network client: Digitally sign communications (if server agrees) must be configured to Enabled.
Medium Severity
The server message block (SMB) protocol provides the basis for many network operations. If this policy is enabled, the SMB client will request packet signing when communicating with an SMB server that is enabled or required to perform SMB packet signing. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187, SRG-OS-000424-GPOS-00188
SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 setting Microsoft network server: Digitally sign communications (always) must be configured to Enabled.
Medium Severity
The server message block (SMB) protocol provides the basis for many network operations. Digitally signed SMB packets aid in preventing man-in-the-middle attacks. If this policy is enabled, the SMB server will only communicate with an SMB client that performs SMB packet signing. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187, SRG-OS-000424-GPOS-00188
SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 setting Microsoft network server: Digitally sign communications (if client agrees) must be configured to Enabled.
Medium Severity
The server message block (SMB) protocol provides the basis for many network operations. Digitally signed SMB packets aid in preventing man-in-the-middle attacks. If this policy is enabled, the SMB server will negotiate SMB packet signing as requested by the client. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000423-GPOS-00187, SRG-OS-000424-GPOS-00188
SRG-OS-000425-GPOS-00189
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must implement protection methods such as TLS, encrypted VPNs, or IPsec if the data owner has a strict requirement for ensuring data integrity and confidentiality is maintained at every step of the data transfer and handling process.
Medium Severity
Information can be either unintentionally or maliciously disclosed or modified during preparation for transmission, for example, during aggregation, at protocol transformation points, and during packing/unpacking. These unauthorized disclosures or modifications compromise the confidentiality or integrity of the information. Ensuring the confidentiality of transmitted information requires the operating system to take measures in preparing information for transmission. This can be accomplished via access control and encryption. Use of this requirement will be limited to situations where the data owner has a strict requirement for ensuring data integrity and confidentiality is maintained at every step of the data transfer and handling process. When transmitting data, operating systems need to support transmission protection mechanisms such as TLS, encrypted VPNs, or IPsec. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000425-GPOS-00189, SRG-OS-000426-GPOS-00190
SRG-OS-000433-GPOS-00192
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Explorer Data Execution Prevention must be enabled.
Medium Severity
Data Execution Prevention provides additional protection by performing checks on memory to help prevent malicious code from running. This setting will prevent Data Execution Prevention from being turned off for File Explorer.
SRG-OS-000470-GPOS-00214
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Account Logon - Credential Validation successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Credential Validation records events related to validation tests on credentials for a user account logon.
SRG-OS-000470-GPOS-00214
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Account Logon - Credential Validation failures.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Credential Validation records events related to validation tests on credentials for a user account logon.
SRG-OS-000470-GPOS-00214
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Logon/Logoff - Group Membership successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Audit Group Membership records information related to the group membership of a user's logon token.
SRG-OS-000470-GPOS-00214
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Logon/Logoff - Special Logon successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Special Logon records special logons that have administrative privileges and can be used to elevate processes. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000470-GPOS-00214, SRG-OS-000472-GPOS-00217, SRG-OS-000473-GPOS-00218, SRG-OS-000475-GPOS-00220
SRG-OS-000470-GPOS-00214
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Object Access - Other Object Access Events successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Auditing for other object access records events related to the management of task scheduler jobs and COM+ objects.
SRG-OS-000470-GPOS-00214
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Object Access - Other Object Access Events failures.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Auditing for other object access records events related to the management of task scheduler jobs and COM+ objects.
SRG-OS-000472-GPOS-00217
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit logoff successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Logoff records user logoffs. If this is an interactive logoff, it is recorded on the local system. If it is to a network share, it is recorded on the system accessed. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000472-GPOS-00217, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
SRG-OS-000474-GPOS-00219
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Detailed Tracking - Plug and Play Events successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Plug and Play activity records events related to the successful connection of external devices.
SRG-OS-000474-GPOS-00219
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Object Access - Removable Storage successes.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Removable Storage auditing under Object Access records events related to access attempts on file system objects on removable storage devices.
SRG-OS-000474-GPOS-00219
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit Object Access - Removable Storage failures.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Removable Storage auditing under Object Access records events related to access attempts on file system objects on removable storage devices.
SRG-OS-000478-GPOS-00223
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to use FIPS-compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing, and signing.
Medium Severity
This setting ensures the system uses algorithms that are FIPS-compliant for encryption, hashing, and signing. FIPS-compliant algorithms meet specific standards established by the U.S. Government and must be the algorithms used for all OS encryption functions.
SRG-OS-000479-GPOS-00224
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must, at a minimum, offload audit records of interconnected systems in real time and offload standalone or nondomain-joined systems weekly.
Medium Severity
Protection of log data includes ensuring the log data is not accidentally lost or deleted. Audit information stored in one location is vulnerable to accidental or incidental deletion or alteration.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 users with Administrative privileges must have separate accounts for administrative duties and normal operational tasks.
High Severity
Using a privileged account to perform routine functions makes the computer vulnerable to malicious software inadvertently introduced during a session that has been granted full privileges.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 administrative accounts must not be used with applications that access the Internet, such as web browsers, or with potential Internet sources, such as email.
High Severity
Using applications that access the Internet or have potential Internet sources using administrative privileges exposes a system to compromise. If a flaw in an application is exploited while running as a privileged user, the entire system could be compromised. Web browsers and email are common attack vectors for introducing malicious code and must not be run with an administrative account. Since administrative accounts may generally change or work around technical restrictions for running a web browser or other applications, it is essential that policy require administrative accounts to not access the Internet or use applications such as email. The policy should define specific exceptions for local service administration. These exceptions may include HTTP(S)-based tools that are used for the administration of the local system, services, or attached devices. Whitelisting can be used to enforce the policy to ensure compliance.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 members of the Backup Operators group must have separate accounts for backup duties and normal operational tasks.
Medium Severity
Backup Operators are able to read and write to any file in the system, regardless of the rights assigned to it. Backup and restore rights permit users to circumvent the file access restrictions present on NTFS disk drives for backup and restore purposes. Members of the Backup Operators group must have separate logon accounts for performing backup duties.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 manually managed application account passwords must be changed at least annually or when a system administrator with knowledge of the password leaves the organization.
Medium Severity
Setting application account passwords to expire may cause applications to stop functioning. However, not changing them on a regular basis exposes them to attack. If managed service accounts are used, this alleviates the need to manually change application account passwords.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 domain-joined systems must have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) enabled and ready for use.
Medium Severity
Credential Guard uses virtualization-based security to protect data that could be used in credential theft attacks if compromised. A number of system requirements must be met in order for Credential Guard to be configured and enabled properly. Without a TPM enabled and ready for use, Credential Guard keys are stored in a less secure method using software.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be maintained at a supported servicing level.
High Severity
Systems at unsupported servicing levels will not receive security updates for new vulnerabilities, which leave them subject to exploitation. Systems must be maintained at a servicing level supported by the vendor with new security updates.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must use an anti-virus program.
High Severity
Malicious software can establish a base on individual desktops and servers. Employing an automated mechanism to detect this type of software will aid in elimination of the software from the operating system.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have a host-based intrusion detection or prevention system.
Medium Severity
A properly configured Host-based Intrusion Detection System (HIDS) or Host-based Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS) provides another level of defense against unauthorized access to critical servers. With proper configuration and logging enabled, such a system can stop and/or alert for many attempts to gain unauthorized access to resources.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have software certificate installation files removed.
Medium Severity
Use of software certificates and their accompanying installation files for end users to access resources is less secure than the use of hardware-based certificates.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 FTP servers must be configured to prevent anonymous logons.
Medium Severity
The FTP service allows remote users to access shared files and directories. Allowing anonymous FTP connections makes user auditing difficult. Using accounts that have administrator privileges to log on to FTP risks that the userid and password will be captured on the network and give administrator access to an unauthorized user.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 FTP servers must be configured to prevent access to the system drive.
Medium Severity
The FTP service allows remote users to access shared files and directories that could provide access to system resources and compromise the system, especially if the user can gain access to the root directory of the boot drive.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have orphaned security identifiers (SIDs) removed from user rights.
Medium Severity
Accounts or groups given rights on a system may show up as unresolved SIDs for various reasons including deletion of the accounts or groups. If the account or group objects are reanimated, there is a potential they may still have rights no longer intended. Valid domain accounts or groups may also show up as unresolved SIDs if a connection to the domain cannot be established for some reason.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 systems must have Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware and be configured to run in UEFI mode, not Legacy BIOS.
Low Severity
UEFI provides additional security features in comparison to legacy BIOS firmware, including Secure Boot. UEFI is required to support additional security features in Windows, including Virtualization Based Security and Credential Guard. Systems with UEFI that are operating in "Legacy BIOS" mode will not support these security features.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have Secure Boot enabled.
Low Severity
Secure Boot is a standard that ensures systems boot only to a trusted operating system. Secure Boot is required to support additional security features in Windows, including Virtualization Based Security and Credential Guard. If Secure Boot is turned off, these security features will not function.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) source routing must be configured to the highest protection level to prevent IP source routing.
Low Severity
Configuring the system to disable IPv6 source routing protects against spoofing.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 source routing must be configured to the highest protection level to prevent Internet Protocol (IP) source routing.
Low Severity
Configuring the system to disable IP source routing protects against spoofing.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to prevent Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) redirects from overriding Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)-generated routes.
Low Severity
Allowing ICMP redirect of routes can lead to traffic not being routed properly. When disabled, this forces ICMP to be routed via the shortest path first.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 insecure logons to an SMB server must be disabled.
Medium Severity
Insecure guest logons allow unauthenticated access to shared folders. Shared resources on a system must require authentication to establish proper access.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 hardened Universal Naming Convention (UNC) paths must be defined to require mutual authentication and integrity for at least the \\*\SYSVOL and \\*\NETLOGON shares.
Medium Severity
Additional security requirements are applied to UNC paths specified in hardened UNC paths before allowing access to them. This aids in preventing tampering with or spoofing of connections to these paths.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to enable Remote host allows delegation of non-exportable credentials.
Medium Severity
An exportable version of credentials is provided to remote hosts when using credential delegation which exposes them to theft on the remote host. Restricted Admin mode or Remote Credential Guard allow delegation of non-exportable credentials providing additional protection of the credentials. Enabling this configures the host to support Restricted Admin mode or Remote Credential Guard.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 virtualization-based security must be enabled with the platform security level configured to Secure Boot or Secure Boot with DMA Protection.
Medium Severity
Virtualization-based security (VBS) provides the platform for the additional security features Credential Guard and virtualization-based protection of code integrity. Secure Boot is the minimum security level, with DMA protection providing additional memory protection. DMA Protection requires a CPU that supports input/output memory management unit (IOMMU).
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Early Launch Antimalware, Boot-Start Driver Initialization Policy must prevent boot drivers identified as bad.
Medium Severity
Compromised boot drivers can introduce malware prior to protection mechanisms that load after initialization. The Early Launch Antimalware driver can limit allowed drivers based on classifications determined by the malware protection application. At a minimum, drivers determined to be bad must not be allowed.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 group policy objects must be reprocessed even if they have not changed.
Medium Severity
Registry entries for group policy settings can potentially be changed from the required configuration. This could occur as part of troubleshooting or by a malicious process on a compromised system. Enabling this setting and then selecting the "Process even if the Group Policy objects have not changed" option ensures the policies will be reprocessed even if none have been changed. This way, any unauthorized changes are forced to match the domain-based group policy settings again.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 users must be prompted to authenticate when the system wakes from sleep (on battery).
Medium Severity
A system that does not require authentication when resuming from sleep may provide access to unauthorized users. Authentication must always be required when accessing a system. This setting ensures users are prompted for a password when the system wakes from sleep (on battery).
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 users must be prompted to authenticate when the system wakes from sleep (plugged in).
Medium Severity
A system that does not require authentication when resuming from sleep may provide access to unauthorized users. Authentication must always be required when accessing a system. This setting ensures users are prompted for a password when the system wakes from sleep (plugged in).
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Telemetry must be configured to Security or Basic.
Medium Severity
Some features may communicate with the vendor, sending system information or downloading data or components for the feature. Limiting this capability will prevent potentially sensitive information from being sent outside the enterprise. The "Security" option for Telemetry configures the lowest amount of data, effectively none outside of the Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT), Defender, and telemetry client settings. "Basic" sends basic diagnostic and usage data and may be required to support some Microsoft services.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Windows Update must not obtain updates from other PCs on the Internet.
Low Severity
Windows Update can obtain updates from additional sources instead of Microsoft. In addition to Microsoft, updates can be obtained from and sent to PCs on the local network as well as on the Internet. This is part of the Windows Update trusted process, however to minimize outside exposure, obtaining updates from or sending to systems on the Internet must be prevented.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Turning off File Explorer heap termination on corruption must be disabled.
Low Severity
Legacy plug-in applications may continue to function when a File Explorer session has become corrupt. Disabling this feature will prevent this.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 File Explorer shell protocol must run in protected mode.
Medium Severity
The shell protocol will limit the set of folders that applications can open when run in protected mode. Restricting files an application can open to a limited set of folders increases the security of Windows.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must prevent attachments from being downloaded from RSS feeds.
Medium Severity
Attachments from RSS feeds may not be secure. This setting will prevent attachments from being downloaded from RSS feeds.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 users must be notified if a web-based program attempts to install software.
Medium Severity
Web-based programs may attempt to install malicious software on a system. Ensuring users are notified if a web-based program attempts to install software allows them to refuse the installation.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 directory data (outside the root DSE) of a non-public directory must be configured to prevent anonymous access.
High Severity
To the extent that anonymous access to directory data (outside the root DSE) is permitted, read access control of the data is effectively disabled. If other means of controlling access (such as network restrictions) are compromised, there may be nothing else to protect the confidentiality of sensitive directory data.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 domain controllers must be configured to allow reset of machine account passwords.
Medium Severity
Enabling this setting on all domain controllers in a domain prevents domain members from changing their computer account passwords. If these passwords are weak or compromised, the inability to change them may leave these computers vulnerable.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
The password for the krbtgt account on a domain must be reset at least every 180 days.
Medium Severity
The krbtgt account acts as a service account for the Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC) service. The account and password are created when a domain is created and the password is typically not changed. If the krbtgt account is compromised, attackers can create valid Kerberos Ticket Granting Tickets (TGT). The password must be changed twice to effectively remove the password history. Changing once, waiting for replication to complete and the amount of time equal to or greater than the maximum Kerberos ticket lifetime, and changing again reduces the risk of issues.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must limit the caching of logon credentials to four or less on domain-joined member servers.
Medium Severity
The default Windows configuration caches the last logon credentials for users who log on interactively to a system. This feature is provided for system availability reasons, such as the user's machine being disconnected from the network or domain controllers being unavailable. Even though the credential cache is well protected, if a system is attacked, an unauthorized individual may isolate the password to a domain user account using a password-cracking program and gain access to the domain.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be running Credential Guard on domain-joined member servers.
High Severity
Credential Guard uses virtualization-based security to protect data that could be used in credential theft attacks if compromised. This authentication information, which was stored in the Local Security Authority (LSA) in previous versions of Windows, is isolated from the rest of operating system and can only be accessed by privileged system software.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must prevent local accounts with blank passwords from being used from the network.
High Severity
An account without a password can allow unauthorized access to a system as only the username would be required. Password policies should prevent accounts with blank passwords from existing on a system. However, if a local account with a blank password does exist, enabling this setting will prevent network access, limiting the account to local console logon only.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 built-in administrator account must be renamed.
Medium Severity
The built-in administrator account is a well-known account subject to attack. Renaming this account to an unidentified name improves the protection of this account and the system.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 built-in guest account must be renamed.
Medium Severity
The built-in guest account is a well-known user account on all Windows systems and, as initially installed, does not require a password. This can allow access to system resources by unauthorized users. Renaming this account to an unidentified name improves the protection of this account and the system.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 maximum age for machine account passwords must be configured to 30 days or less.
Medium Severity
Computer account passwords are changed automatically on a regular basis. This setting controls the maximum password age that a machine account may have. This must be set to no more than 30 days, ensuring the machine changes its password monthly.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 Smart Card removal option must be configured to Force Logoff or Lock Workstation.
Medium Severity
Unattended systems are susceptible to unauthorized use and must be locked. Configuring a system to lock when a smart card is removed will ensure the system is inaccessible when unattended.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must not allow anonymous SID/Name translation.
High Severity
Allowing anonymous SID/Name translation can provide sensitive information for accessing a system. Only authorized users must be able to perform such translations.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must not allow anonymous enumeration of Security Account Manager (SAM) accounts.
High Severity
Anonymous enumeration of SAM accounts allows anonymous logon users (null session connections) to list all accounts names, thus providing a list of potential points to attack the system.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to prevent anonymous users from having the same permissions as the Everyone group.
Medium Severity
Access by anonymous users must be restricted. If this setting is enabled, anonymous users have the same rights and permissions as the built-in Everyone group. Anonymous users must not have these permissions or rights.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 services using Local System that use Negotiate when reverting to NTLM authentication must use the computer identity instead of authenticating anonymously.
Medium Severity
Services using Local System that use Negotiate when reverting to NTLM authentication may gain unauthorized access if allowed to authenticate anonymously versus using the computer identity.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must prevent NTLM from falling back to a Null session.
Medium Severity
NTLM sessions that are allowed to fall back to Null (unauthenticated) sessions may gain unauthorized access.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must prevent PKU2U authentication using online identities.
Medium Severity
PKU2U is a peer-to-peer authentication protocol. This setting prevents online identities from authenticating to domain-joined systems. Authentication will be centrally managed with Windows user accounts.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 LAN Manager authentication level must be configured to send NTLMv2 response only and to refuse LM and NTLM.
High Severity
The Kerberos v5 authentication protocol is the default for authentication of users who are logging on to domain accounts. NTLM, which is less secure, is retained in later Windows versions for compatibility with clients and servers that are running earlier versions of Windows or applications that still use it. It is also used to authenticate logons to standalone or nondomain-joined computers that are running later versions.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured to at least negotiate signing for LDAP client signing.
Medium Severity
This setting controls the signing requirements for LDAP clients. This must be set to "Negotiate signing" or "Require signing", depending on the environment and type of LDAP server in use.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 session security for NTLM SSP-based clients must be configured to require NTLMv2 session security and 128-bit encryption.
Medium Severity
Microsoft has implemented a variety of security support providers for use with Remote Procedure Call (RPC) sessions. All of the options must be enabled to ensure the maximum security level.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 session security for NTLM SSP-based servers must be configured to require NTLMv2 session security and 128-bit encryption.
Medium Severity
Microsoft has implemented a variety of security support providers for use with Remote Procedure Call (RPC) sessions. All of the options must be enabled to ensure the maximum security level.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 default permissions of global system objects must be strengthened.
Low Severity
Windows systems maintain a global list of shared system resources such as DOS device names, mutexes, and semaphores. Each type of object is created with a default Discretionary Access Control List (DACL) that specifies who can access the objects with what permissions. When this policy is enabled, the default DACL is stronger, allowing non-administrative users to read shared objects but not to modify shared objects they did not create.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must preserve zone information when saving attachments.
Medium Severity
Attachments from outside sources may contain malicious code. Preserving zone of origin (Internet, intranet, local, restricted) information on file attachments allows Windows to determine risk.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00229
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must disable automatically signing in the last interactive user after a system-initiated restart.
Medium Severity
Windows can be configured to automatically sign the user back in after a Windows Update restart. Some protections are in place to help ensure this is done in a secure fashion; however, disabling this will prevent the caching of credentials for this purpose and also ensure the user is aware of the restart.
SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have a host-based firewall installed and enabled.
Medium Severity
A firewall provides a line of defense against attack, allowing or blocking inbound and outbound connections based on a set of rules.
SRG-OS-000041-GPOS-00019
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must have PowerShell Transcription enabled.
Medium Severity
Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Enabling PowerShell Transcription will record detailed information from the processing of PowerShell commands and scripts. This can provide additional detail when malware has run on a system.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured for certificate-based authentication for domain controllers.
Medium Severity
Active Directory domain services elevation of privilege vulnerability could allow a user rights to the system, such as administrative and other high-level capabilities.
SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048
1 Rule
Windows Server 2019 must be configured for named-based strong mappings for certificates.
Medium Severity
Weak mappings give rise to security vulnerabilities and demand hardening measures. Certificate names must be correctly mapped to the intended user account in Active Directory. A lack of strong name-based mappings allows certain weak certificate mappings, such as Issuer/Subject AltSecID and User Principal Names (UPN) mappings, to be treated as strong mappings.