Windows Server 2025 reversible password encryption must be disabled.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-278040 | WN25-AC-000090 | SV-278040r1180826_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 2025 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2026-02-20 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-278040r1180826_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-82475r1180825_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy. Set "Store passwords using reversible encryption" to "Disabled".