The domain controller must be configured to allow reset of machine account passwords.

From Windows Server 2008 R2 Domain Controller Security Technical Implementation Guide

Part of Computer Account Password Change

Associated with: CCI-000366

SV-36192r1_rule The domain controller must be configured to allow reset of machine account passwords.

Vulnerability discussion

Enabling this setting on all domain controllers in a domain prevents domain members from changing their computer account passwords. If these passwords are weak or compromised, the inability to change them may leave these computers vulnerable.

Check content

1. Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. 2. Navigate to Local Policies and select Security Options. 3. If the value for “Domain Controller: Refuse machine account password changes” is set to "Enabled", then this is a finding.

Fix text

Set the value for “Domain Controller: Refuse machine account password changes” to “Disabled”. The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\Parameters\ Value Name: RefusePasswordChange Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0

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