Vulnerability Discussion
Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities.
Accounts with the "Modify firmware environment values" user right can change hardware configuration environment variables. This could result in hardware failures or a denial of service.
Check
Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor.
Run "gpedit.msc".
Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment.
If any accounts or groups other than the following are granted the "Modify firmware environment values" user right, this is a finding:
- Administrators
For server core installations, run the following command:
Secedit /Export /Areas User_Rights /cfg c:\path\filename.txt
Review the text file.
If any SIDs other than the following are granted the "SeSystemEnvironmentPrivilege" user right, this is a finding:
S-1-5-32-544 (Administrators)
Fix
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment >> Modify firmware environment values to include only the following accounts or groups:
- Administrators