Vulnerability Discussion

User Account Control (UAC) is a security mechanism for limiting the elevation of privileges, including administrative accounts, unless authorized. This setting enables UAC.

Satisfies: SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157, SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00156

Check

UAC requirements are NA for Server Core installations (this is the default installation option for Windows Server 2016 versus Server with Desktop Experience) as well as Nano Server.

If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding.

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\

Value Name: EnableLUA

Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x00000001 (1)

Fix

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode" to "Enabled".