WN11-CC-000038 - WDigest Authentication must be disabled.

Information

When the WDigest Authentication protocol is enabled, plain text passwords are stored in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) exposing them to theft. WDigest is disabled by default in Windows 11. This setting ensures this is enforced.

Solution

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> MS Security Guide >> 'WDigest Authentication (disabling may require KB2871997)' to 'Disabled'.

The patch referenced in the policy title is not required for Windows 11.

This policy setting requires the installation of the SecGuide custom templates included with the STIG package. 'SecGuide.admx' and 'SecGuide.adml' must be copied to the \Windows\PolicyDefinitions and \Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US directories respectively.

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_MS_Windows_11_V2R2_STIG.zip

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-7a., CAT|II, CCI|CCI-000381, Rule-ID|SV-253358r958478_rule, STIG-ID|WN11-CC-000038, Vuln-ID|V-253358

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 3b445fa202e7d9374b6986e684267523662dc40ddef73331a28672acbd5720c2