Software certificate installation files must be removed from Windows Server 2016.

From Windows Server 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000366

SV-87923r1_rule Software certificate installation files must be removed from Windows Server 2016.

Vulnerability discussion

Use of software certificates and their accompanying installation files for end users to access resources is less secure than the use of hardware-based certificates.

Check content

Search all drives for *.p12 and *.pfx files. If any files with these extensions exist, this is a finding. This does not apply to server-based applications that have a requirement for certificate files. Some applications create files with extensions of .p12 that are not certificate installation files. Removal of non-certificate installation files from systems is not required. These must be documented with the ISSO.

Fix text

Remove any certificate installation files (*.p12 and *.pfx) found on a system. This does not apply to server-based applications that have a requirement for certificate files.

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