CCE-2920-7Platform: cpe:/o:microsoft:windows_xp | Date: (C)2012-03-13 (M)2023-07-04 |
This policy setting defines how long a user can use their password before it expires.
Values for this policy setting range from 0 to 999 days. If you set the value to 0, the password will never expire. The default value for this policy setting is 42 days.
Because attackers can crack passwords, the more frequently you change the password the less opportunity an attacker has to use a cracked password. However, the lower this value is set, the higher the potential for an increase in calls to help desk support due to users having to change their password or forgetting which password is current.
Countermeasure:
Configure the Maximum password age setting to a value that is suitable for your organization's business requirements. When configuring this setting you should also configure the Minimum password age to a value that makes sense in combination with this one.
Potential Impact:
If the Maximum password age setting is too low, users are required to change their passwords very often. Such a configuration can reduce security in the organization, because users might write their passwords in an insecure location or lose them. If the value for this policy setting is too high, the level of security within an organization is reduced because it allows potential attackers more time in which to discover user passwords or to use compromised accounts.
Parameter:
[maximum no of days]
Technical Mechanism:
(1) GPO: Computer Configuration\\Windows Settings\\Security Settings\\Account Policies\\Password Policy\\Maximum password age
(2) REG: ###
(3) WMI: ###
CCSS Severity: | CCSS Metrics: |
CCSS Score : 5.6 | Attack Vector: NETWORK |
Exploit Score: 2.2 | Attack Complexity: HIGH |
Impact Score: 3.4 | Privileges Required: NONE |
Severity: MEDIUM | User Interaction: NONE |
Vector: AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L | Scope: UNCHANGED |
| Confidentiality: LOW |
| Integrity: LOW |
| Availability: LOW |
| |
References: Resource Id | Reference |
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SCAP Repo OVAL Definition | oval:gov.nist.usgcb.xp:def:17 |
BITS Shared Assessments SIG v6.0 | BITS Shared Assessments SIG v6.0 |
Jericho Forum | Jericho Forum |
HIPAA/HITECH Act | HIPAA/HITECH Act |
FedRAMP Security Controls(Final Release Jan 2012)--LOW IMPACT LEVEL-- | FedRAMP Security Controls(Final Release Jan 2012)--LOW IMPACT LEVEL-- |
ISO/IEC 27001-2005 | ISO/IEC 27001-2005 |
COBIT 4.1 | COBIT 4.1 |
GAPP (Aug 2009) | GAPP (Aug 2009) |
NERC CIP | NERC CIP |
NIST SP800-53 R3 | NIST SP800-53 R3 AC-3 |
NIST SP800-53 R3 | NIST SP800-53 R3 CM-6 |
NIST SP800-53 R3 | NIST SP800-53 R3 CM-7 |
NIST SP800-53 R3 | NIST SP800-53 R3 IA-5 |
NIST SP800-53 R3 | NIST SP800-53 R3 SC-5 |
PCIDSS v2.0 | PCIDSS v2.0 |
FedRAMP Security Controls(Final Release Jan 2012)--MODERATE IMPACT LEVEL-- | FedRAMP Security Controls(Final Release Jan 2012)--MODERATE IMPACT LEVEL-- |
BITS Shared Assessments AUP v5.0 | BITS Shared Assessments AUP v5.0 |