Local accounts with blank passwords must be restricted to prevent access from the network.

Overview

Finding IDVersionRule IDIA ControlsSeverity
V-220910WN10-SO-000015SV-220910r991589_ruleCCI-000366medium
Description
An account without a password can allow unauthorized access to a system as only the username would be required. Password policies should prevent accounts with blank passwords from existing on a system. However, if a local account with a blank password did exist, enabling this setting will prevent network access, limiting the account to local console logon only.
STIGDate
Microsoft Windows 10 Security Technical Implementation Guide2025-02-25

Details

Check Text (C-220910r991589_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: LimitBlankPasswordUse Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

Fix Text (F-22614r555216_fix)

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only" to "Enabled".