Windows 2012/2012 R2 accounts must be configured to require passwords.

From Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 Member Server Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000764

SV-52940r2_rule Windows 2012/2012 R2 accounts must be configured to require passwords.

Vulnerability discussion

The lack of password protection enables anyone to gain access to the information system, which opens a backdoor opportunity for intruders to compromise the system as well as other resources. Accounts on a system must require passwords.

Check content

Review the password required status for enabled user accounts. Open "Windows PowerShell". Domain Controllers: Enter "Get-ADUser -Filter * -Properties PasswordNotRequired | Where PasswordNotRequired -eq True | FT Name, PasswordNotRequired, Enabled". Exclude disabled accounts (e.g., Guest). If "PasswordNotRequired" is "True" for any enabled user account, this is a finding. Member servers and standalone systems: Enter 'Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_Useraccount -Filter "PasswordRequired=False and LocalAccount=True" | FT Name, PasswordRequired, Disabled, LocalAccount'. Exclude disabled accounts (e.g., Guest). If any enabled user accounts are returned with a "PasswordRequired" status of "False", this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure all enabled accounts to require passwords. The password required flag can be set by entering the following on a command line: "Net user [username] /passwordreq:yes", substituting [username] with the name of the user account.

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