2.3.11.1 Ensure 'Network security: Allow Local System to use computer identity for NTLM' is set to 'Enabled'

Information

This policy setting determines whether Local System services that use Negotiate when reverting to NTLM authentication can use the computer identity. This policy is supported on at least Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.

Rationale:

When connecting to computers running versions of Windows earlier than Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 (non-R2), services running as Local System and using SPNEGO (Negotiate) that revert to NTLM use the computer identity. In Windows 7, if you are connecting to a computer running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista, then a system service uses either the computer identity or a NULL session. When connecting with a NULL session, a system-generated session key is created, which provides no protection but allows applications to sign and encrypt data without errors. When connecting with the computer identity, both signing and encryption is supported in order to provide data protection.

Impact:

Services running as Local System that use Negotiate when reverting to NTLM authentication will use the computer identity. This might cause some authentication requests between Windows operating systems to fail and log an error.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Enabled:

Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options\Network security: Allow Local System to use computer identity for NTLM

Default Value:

Disabled. (Services running as Local System that use Negotiate when reverting to NTLM authentication will authenticate anonymously.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/14249

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT, IDENTIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION

References: 800-53|CM-6, 800-53|IA-2, CCE|CCE-33141-3, CSCv7|5.1, CSCv7|16.2

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: ba7be1200e5521c93e0c67e8aa0f3019433b7e34683db5e6202393b9da9fd0dc