The built-in Microsoft password complexity filter must be enabled.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-253304 | WN11-AC-000040 | SV-253304r1051045_rule | CCI-004066 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| The use of complex passwords increases their strength against guessing and brute-force attacks. This setting configures the system to verify that newly created passwords conform to the Windows password complexity policy. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-15 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-253304r1051045_chk)
Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor.
Run "gpedit.msc".
Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy.
If the value for "Password must meet complexity requirements" is not set to "Enabled", this is a finding.
If the site is using a password filter that requires this setting be set to "Disabled" for the filter to be used, this would not be considered a finding.
Fix Text (F-56707r828995_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy >> "Password must meet complexity requirements" to "Enabled".