Outdated or unused accounts on Windows Server 2025 must be removed or disabled.

Overview

Finding IDVersionRule IDIA ControlsSeverity
V-278003WN25-00-000190SV-278003r1182254_ruleCCI-003627medium
Description
Outdated or unused accounts provide penetration points that may go undetected. Inactive accounts must be deleted if no longer necessary or, if still required, disabled until needed. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000118-GPOS-00060, SRG-OS-000590-GPOS-00110
STIGDate
Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Security Technical Implementation Guide2026-02-20

Details

Check Text (C-278003r1182254_chk)

Open Windows PowerShell. Domain Controllers: Enter "Search-ADAccount -AccountInactive -UsersOnly -TimeSpan 35.00:00:00". This will return accounts that have not been logged on to for 35 days, along with various attributes such as the Enabled status and LastLogonDate. Member servers and stand-alone or nondomain-joined systems: Copy or enter the lines below to the PowerShell window and enter. (Entering twice may be required.)  ([ADSI]('WinNT://{0}' -f $env:COMPUTERNAME)).Children | Where { $_.SchemaClassName -eq 'user' } | ForEach { $user = ([ADSI]$_.Path) $lastLogin = $user.Properties.LastLogin.Value $enabled = ($user.Properties.UserFlags.Value -band 0x2) -ne 0x2 if ($lastLogin -eq $null) { $lastLogin = 'Never' } Write-Host $user.Name $lastLogin $enabled } This will return a list of local accounts with the account name, last logon, and if the account is enabled (True/False). For example: User1 10/31/2015 5:49:56 AM True Review the list of accounts returned by the above queries to determine the finding validity for each account reported. Exclude the following accounts: - Built-in administrator account (Renamed, SID ending in 500). - Built-in guest account (Renamed, Disabled, SID ending in 501). - Application accounts. If any enabled accounts have not been logged on to within the past 35 days, this is a finding. Inactive accounts that have been reviewed and deemed to be required must be documented with the information system security officer (ISSO).

Fix Text (F-82438r1180714_fix)

Regularly review accounts to determine if they are still active. Remove or disable accounts that have not been used in the last 35 days.