Active Directory user accounts, including administrators, must be configured to require the use of a Common Access Card (CAC), Personal Identity Verification (PIV)-compliant hardware token, or Alternate Logon Token (ALT) for user authentication.

From Windows Server 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000765 CCI-000766 CCI-000767 CCI-000768 CCI-001948

SV-88281r1_rule Active Directory user accounts, including administrators, must be configured to require the use of a Common Access Card (CAC), Personal Identity Verification (PIV)-compliant hardware token, or Alternate Logon Token (ALT) for user authentication.

Vulnerability discussion

Smart cards such as the CAC support a two-factor authentication technique. This provides a higher level of trust in the asserted identity than use of the username and password for authentication.Satisfies: SRG-OS-000105-GPOS-00052, SRG-OS-000106-GPOS-00053, SRG-OS-000107-GPOS-00054, SRG-OS-000108-GPOS-00055, SRG-OS-000375-GPOS-00160

Check content

This applies to domain controllers. It is NA for other systems. Open "PowerShell". Enter the following: "Get-ADUser -Filter {(Enabled -eq $True) -and (SmartcardLogonRequired -eq $False)} | FT Name" ("DistinguishedName" may be substituted for "Name" for more detailed output.) If any user accounts, including administrators, are listed, this is a finding. Alternately: To view sample accounts in "Active Directory Users and Computers" (available from various menus or run "dsa.msc"): Select the Organizational Unit (OU) where the user accounts are located. (By default, this is the Users node; however, accounts may be under other organization-defined OUs.) Right-click the sample user account and select "Properties". Select the "Account" tab. If any user accounts, including administrators, do not have "Smart card is required for interactive logon" checked in the "Account Options" area, this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure all user accounts, including administrator accounts, in Active Directory to enable the option "Smart card is required for interactive logon". Run "Active Directory Users and Computers" (available from various menus or run "dsa.msc"): Select the OU where the user accounts are located. (By default this is the Users node; however, accounts may be under other organization-defined OUs.) Right-click the user account and select "Properties". Select the "Account" tab. Check "Smart card is required for interactive logon" in the "Account Options" area.

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