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WDigest Authentication must be disabled.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-73497 WN16-CC-000030 SV-88149r1_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. WDigest is disabled by default in Windows 10. This setting ensures this is enforced.
STIG Date
Windows Server 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2019-01-16

Details

Check Text ( C-73571r1_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)
Fix Text (F-79939r1_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> MS Security Guide >> "WDigest Authentication (disabling may require KB2871997)" to "Disabled".

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.