Windows 2008 account lockout duration must be configured to 15 minutes or greater.

From Windows 2008 Member Server Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-002238

SV-29643r2_rule Windows 2008 account lockout duration must be configured to 15 minutes or greater.

Vulnerability discussion

The account lockout feature, when enabled, prevents brute-force password attacks on the system. This parameter specifies the period of time that an account will remain locked after the specified number of failed logon attempts.

Check content

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. Navigate to Account Policies >> Account Lockout Policy. If the "Account lockout duration" is less than "15" minutes (excluding "0"), this is a finding. Configuring this to "0", requiring an administrator to unlock the account, is more restrictive and is not a finding.

Fix text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Account Lockout Policy >> "Account lockout duration" to "15" minutes or greater. A value of "0" is also acceptable, requiring an administrator to unlock the account.

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