Windows Server 2019 must have software certificate installation files removed.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-205852 | WN19-00-000240 | SV-205852r991589_rule | CCI-000366 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| Use of software certificates and their accompanying installation files for end users to access resources is less secure than the use of hardware-based certificates. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-23 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-205852r991589_chk)
Search all drives for *.p12 and *.pfx files.
If any files with these extensions exist, this is a finding.
This does not apply to server-based applications that have a requirement for .p12 certificate files or Adobe PreFlight certificate files. Some applications create files with extensions of .p12 that are not certificate installation files. Removal of non-certificate installation files from systems is not required. These must be documented with the ISSO.
Fix Text (F-6117r355919_fix)
Remove any certificate installation files (*.p12 and *.pfx) found on a system.
Note: This does not apply to server-based applications that have a requirement for .p12 certificate files or Adobe PreFlight certificate files.