Windows Server 2019 Windows Remote Management (WinRM) client must not use Basic authentication.

STIG ID: WN19-CC-000470  |  SRG: SRG-OS-000125-GPOS-00065 | Severity: high |  CCI: CCI-000877

Vulnerability Discussion

Basic authentication uses plain-text passwords that could be used to compromise a system. Disabling Basic authentication will reduce this potential.

Check

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\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WinRM\Client\

Value Name: AllowBasic

Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x00000000 (0)

Fix

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Windows Remote Management (WinRM) >> WinRM Client >> "Allow Basic authentication" to "Disabled".