Caching of logon credentials must be limited.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-253447 | WN11-SO-000085 | SV-253447r991589_rule | CCI-000366 | low |
| Description | ||||
| 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. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-15 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-253447r991589_chk)
This is the default configuration for this setting (10 logons to cache).
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: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\
Value Name: CachedLogonsCount
Value Type: REG_SZ
Value: 10 (or less)
This setting only applies to domain-joined systems, however, it is configured by default on all systems.
Fix Text (F-56850r829424_fix)
This is the default configuration for this setting (10 logons to cache).
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "Interactive logon: Number of previous logons to cache (in case domain controller is not available)" to "10" logons or less.
This setting only applies to domain-joined systems, however, it is configured by default on all systems.