Windows Server 2025 must disable Basic authentication for RSS feeds over HTTP.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-278118 | WN25-CC-000400 | SV-278118r1182067_rule | CCI-000381 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| Basic authentication uses plain-text passwords that could be used to compromise a system. Disabling Basic authentication will reduce this potential. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2026-02-20 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-278118r1182067_chk)
The default behavior is for the Windows RSS platform to not use Basic authentication over HTTP connections.
If the registry value name below does not exist, this is not a finding.
If it exists and is configured with a value of "0", this is not a finding.
If it exists and is configured with a value of "1", this is a finding.
Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Feeds\
Value Name: AllowBasicAuthInClear
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x00000000 (0) (or if the Value Name does not exist)
Fix Text (F-82553r1182066_fix)
The default behavior is for the Windows RSS platform to not use Basic authentication over HTTP connections.
To correct this, configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> RSS Feeds >> Turn on Basic feed authentication over HTTP to "Not Configured" or "Disabled".