Remote calls to the Security Account Manager (SAM) must be restricted to Administrators.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-253457 | WN11-SO-000167 | SV-253457r1081060_rule | CCI-002235 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| The Windows SAM stores users' passwords. Restricting remote rpc connections to the SAM to Administrators helps protect those credentials. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-15 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-253457r1081060_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\Lsa\
Value Name: RestrictRemoteSAM
Value Type: REG_SZ
Value: O:BAG:BAD:(A;;RC;;;BA)
If a domain application account such as for a management tool requires this user right, this would not be a finding.
Vendor documentation must support the requirement for having the user right.
The requirement must be documented with the ISSO.
Fix Text (F-56860r829454_fix)
Navigate to the policy Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "Network access: Restrict clients allowed to make remote calls to SAM".
Select "Edit Security" to configure the "Security descriptor:".
Add "Administrators" in "Group or user names:" if it is not already listed (this is the default).
Select "Administrators" in "Group or user names:".
Select "Allow" for "Remote Access" in "Permissions for "Administrators".
Click "OK".
The "Security descriptor:" must be populated with "O:BAG:BAD:(A;;RC;;;BA) for the policy to be enforced.