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2.2.35 Ensure 'Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services' is set to 'Guests, Local account, Enterprise Admins group, and Domain Admins group' (STIG MS only)

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Information

This policy setting determines whether users can log on as Remote Desktop clients. After the baseline Member Server is joined to a domain environment, there is no need to use local accounts to access the server from the network. Domain accounts can access the server for administration and end-user processing. This user right supersedes the Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services user right if an account is subject to both policies.

 The recommended state for this setting is: Guests, Local account, Enterprise Admins group, and Domain Admins group.

 Caution: Configuring a standalone (non-domain-joined) server as described above may result in an inability to remotely administer the server.

 Note: The security identifier Local account is not available in Server 2008 R2 and Server 2012 (non-R2) unless MSKB 2871997 has been installed.

 Note #2: In all versions of Windows Server prior to Server 2008 R2, Remote Desktop Services was known as Terminal Services, so you should substitute the older term if comparing against an older OS.

 Note #3: The CIS recommended state for this setting is: Guests, Local account, which differs from the STIG recommended state.

 Rationale:

 Any account with the right to log on through Remote Desktop Services could be used to log on to the remote console of the computer. If this user right is not restricted to legitimate users who need to log on to the console of the computer, unauthorized users might download and run malicious software that elevates their privileges.




 Impact:

 If you assign the Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services user right to other groups, you could limit the abilities of users who are assigned to specific administrative roles in your environment. Accounts that have this user right will be unable to connect to the computer through either Remote Desktop Services or Remote Assistance. You should confirm that delegated tasks will not be negatively impacted.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Guests, Local account, Enterprise Admins group, and Domain Admins group:

 Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\User Rights Assignment\Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services

 Default Value:

 No one.

 Additional Information:

 Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Security Technical Implementation Guide:
 Version 2, Release 1, Benchmark Date: November 13, 2020

 Vul ID: V-205733
 Rule ID: SV-205733r569188_rule
 STIG ID: WN19-MS-000120
 Severity: CAT II

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3345

Item Details

References: CSCv7|5.1

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: b6d4eb20df055026339c66e49fdea981b4c8088b9114306ffc6504a0306f8e0f