1.1.1.2.1.30 Set 'MSS: (AutoAdminLogon) Enable Automatic Logon (not recommended)' to 'Disabled'

Information

The registry value entry AutoAdminLogon was added to the template file in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\ registry key. The entry appears as MSS: (AutoAdminLogon) Enable Automatic Logon (not recommended) in the Security Configuration Editor. This setting is separate from the Welcome screen feature in Windows XP and Windows Vista; if that feature is disabled, this setting is not disabled. If you configure a computer for automatic logon, anyone who can physically gain access to the computer can also gain access to everything that is on the computer, including any network or networks to which the computer is connected. Also, if you enable automatic logon, the password is stored in the registry in plaintext, and the specific registry key that stores this value is remotely readable by the Authenticated Users group. For additional information, see the Knowledge Base article 315231, How to turn on automatic logon in Windows XP. If you configure a computer for automatic logon, anyone who can physically gain access to the computer can also gain access to everything that is on the computer, including any network or networks that the computer is connected to. Also, if you enable automatic logon, the password is stored in the registry in plaintext. The specific registry key that stores this setting is remotely readable by the Authenticated Users group. As a result, this entry is appropriate only if the computer is physically secured and if you ensure that untrusted users cannot remotely see the registry.

Solution

To implement the recommended configuration state, set the following Group Policy setting to 0.

Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options\MSS- (AutoAdminLogon) Enable Automatic Logon (not recommended)

Impact- None. By default this entry is not enabled.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/42

Item Details

Category: ACCESS CONTROL

References: 800-53|AC-6(10), CCE|CCE-3690-5

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 798ea1e8e6f4d51b890edc22ff9c92bc248013f0654fe9568a24f6566f8d789d