The Windows Server 2025 "Add workstations to domain" user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group on domain controllers.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-278166 | WN25-DC-000350 | SV-278166r1182138_rule | CCI-002235 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| Inappropriately granting user rights provides system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Add workstations to domain" right may add computers to a domain. This could result in unapproved or incorrectly configured systems being added to a domain. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2026-02-20 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-278166r1182138_chk)
This applies to domain controllers. It is not applicable for other systems.
Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor.
Run gpedit.msc.
Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment.
If any accounts or groups other than the following are granted the "Add workstations to domain" right, this is a finding:
- Administrators.
For server core installations, run the following command:
Secedit /Export /Areas User_Rights /cfg c:\path\filename.txt
Review the text file.
If any SIDs other than the following are granted the "SeMachineAccountPrivilege" user right, this is a finding.
S-1-5-32-544 (Administrators)
Fix Text (F-82601r1181827_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment >> Add workstations to domain to include only the following accounts or groups:
- Administrators.