This security setting determines which service accounts are prevented from registering a process as a service. This user right supersedes the Log on as a service user right if an account is subject to both policies. The STIG recommended state for this setting is to include: members of Enterprise Admin group and members of Domain Admin group. Note: This security setting does not apply to the System, Local Service, or Network Service accounts. Rationale: Accounts that can log on as a service could be used to configure and start new unauthorized services, such as a keylogger or other malicious software. The benefit of the specified countermeasure is somewhat reduced by the fact that only users with administrative privileges can install and configure services, and an attacker who has already attained that level of access could configure the service to run with the System account. Impact: If you assign the Deny log on as a service user right to specific accounts, services may not be able to start and a DoS condition could result.
Solution
To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to include members of Enterprise Admin group and members of Domain Admin group: Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\User Rights Assignment\Deny log on as a service Default Value: No One (blank). Additional Information: This Benchmark Recommendation maps to: Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide: Version 1, Release 13, Benchmark Date: May 15, 2020 Vul ID: V-73767 Rule ID: SV-88431r2_rule STIG ID: WN16-MS-000390 Severity: CAT II