Windows Server 2019 reversible password encryption must be disabled.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-205653 | WN19-AC-000090 | SV-205653r1051062_rule | CCI-004062 | high |
| Description | ||||
| Storing passwords using reversible encryption is essentially the same as storing clear-text versions of the passwords, which are easily compromised. For this reason, this policy must never be enabled. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-23 | |||
Related Frameworks
6 paths across 3 frameworks
Related Frameworks
NIST 800-531 mapping
IA-5(1)
1.00
- DISA · 3 · disa_xccdf · related
- DISA · 2025-01-23 · disa_cci_list · equivalent
NIST 800-1714 mappings
3.5.10
1.00
- DISA · 3 · disa_xccdf · related
- DISA · 2025-01-23 · disa_cci_list · equivalent
- NIST · Rev 2 (Feb 2020, errata Jan 2021) · nist_800_171_app_d · equivalent
3.5.7
1.00
- DISA · 3 · disa_xccdf · related
- DISA · 2025-01-23 · disa_cci_list · equivalent
- NIST · Rev 2 (Feb 2020, errata Jan 2021) · nist_800_171_app_d · equivalent
3.5.8
1.00
- DISA · 3 · disa_xccdf · related
- DISA · 2025-01-23 · disa_cci_list · equivalent
- NIST · Rev 2 (Feb 2020, errata Jan 2021) · nist_800_171_app_d · equivalent
3.5.9
1.00
- DISA · 3 · disa_xccdf · related
- DISA · 2025-01-23 · disa_cci_list · equivalent
- NIST · Rev 2 (Feb 2020, errata Jan 2021) · nist_800_171_app_d · equivalent
CCI1 mapping
CCI-004062
1.00
- DISA · 3 · disa_xccdf · related
Details
Check Text (C-205653r1051062_chk)
Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor.
Run "gpedit.msc".
Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy.
If the value for "Store passwords using reversible encryption" is not set to "Disabled", this is a finding.
For server core installations, run the following command:
Secedit /Export /Areas SecurityPolicy /CFG C:\Path\FileName.Txt
If "ClearTextPassword" equals "1" in the file, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-5918r354878_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy >> "Store passwords using reversible encryption" to "Disabled".