Vulnerability Discussion

Computer account passwords are changed automatically on a regular basis. This setting controls the maximum password age that a machine account may have. This must be set to no more than 30 days, ensuring the machine changes its password monthly.

Check

This is the default configuration for this setting (30 days).

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: \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\Parameters\

Value Name: MaximumPasswordAge

Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x0000001e (30) (or less, but not 0)

Fix

This is the default configuration for this setting (30 days).

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "Domain member: Maximum machine account password age" to "30" or less (excluding "0", which is unacceptable).