Local accounts with blank passwords must be restricted to prevent access from the network.

From Windows 8/8.1 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000366

SV-48073r1_rule Local accounts with blank passwords must be restricted to prevent access from the network.

Vulnerability discussion

An account without a password can allow unauthorized access to a system as only the username would be required. Password policies should prevent accounts with blank passwords from existing on a system. However, if a local account with a blank password did exist, enabling this setting will prevent network access, limiting the account to local console logon only.

Check content

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. (See "Performing Analysis with the Security Configuration and Analysis Snap-in" in the STIG Overview document.) Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. Navigate to Local Policies -> Security Options. If the value for "Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only" is not set to "Enabled", this is a finding. The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa Value Name: LimitBlankPasswordUse Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

Fix text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> "Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only" to "Enabled".

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