The system will be configured to have password protection take effect within a limited time frame when the screen saver becomes active.

From Windows Server 2008 R2 Domain Controller Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000366

SV-32360r1_rule The system will be configured to have password protection take effect within a limited time frame when the screen saver becomes active.

Vulnerability discussion

Allowing more than several seconds for password protection to take effect when a screen saver becomes active makes the computer vulnerable to a potential attack from someone walking up to the console to attempt to access the system.

Check content

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. Navigate to Local Policies -> Security Options. If the value for “MSS: (ScreenSaverGracePeriod) The time in seconds before the screen saver grace period expires (0 recommended)” is not set to “5” or less, then this is a finding. The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\ Value Name: ScreenSaverGracePeriod Value Type: REG_SZ Value: 5 (or less)

Fix text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> “MSS: (ScreenSaverGracePeriod) The time in seconds before the screen saver grace period expires (0 recommended)” to “5” or less.

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