Windows Server 2019 Modify firmware environment values user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-205764 | WN19-UR-000180 | SV-205764r958726_rule | CCI-002235 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Modify firmware environment values" user right can change hardware configuration environment variables. This could result in hardware failures or a denial of service. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-23 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-205764r958726_chk)
Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor.
Run "gpedit.msc".
Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment.
If any accounts or groups other than the following are granted the "Modify firmware environment values" user right, this is a finding:
- Administrators
For server core installations, run the following command:
Secedit /Export /Areas User_Rights /cfg c:\path\filename.txt
Review the text file.
If any SIDs other than the following are granted the "SeSystemEnvironmentPrivilege" user right, this is a finding:
S-1-5-32-544 (Administrators)
Fix Text (F-6029r355211_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment >> "Modify firmware environment values" to include only the following accounts or groups:
- Administrators