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WDigest Authentication must be disabled.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-72753 WN12-CC-000150 SV-87391r1_rule Medium
Description
When the WDigest Authentication protocol is enabled, plain text passwords are stored in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) exposing them to theft. This setting will prevent WDigest from storing credentials in memory.
STIG Date
Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 Member Server Security Technical Implementation Guide 2020-06-16

Details

Check Text ( C-72901r1_chk )
If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding.

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\Wdigest\

Value Name: UseLogonCredential

Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x00000000 (0)

Note: Microsoft Security Advisory update 2871997 is required for this setting to be effective on Windows 2012. It is not required for Windows 2012 R2.
Fix Text (F-79163r1_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> MS Security Guide >> "WDigest Authentication (disabling may require KB2871997)" to "Disabled".

Note: Microsoft Security Advisory update 2871997 is required for this setting to be effective on Windows 2012. It is not required for Windows 2012 R2.

This policy setting requires the installation of the SecGuide custom templates included with the STIG package. "SecGuide.admx" and "SecGuide.adml" must be copied to the \Windows\PolicyDefinitions and \Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US directories respectively.