Ensure 'Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services' to include 'Guests, Local account'

HighLevel 1Automatedwindows

Description

This policy setting determines whether users can log on as Remote Desktop clients. After the baseline workstation is joined to a domain environment, there is no need to use local accounts to access the workstation from the network. Domain accounts can access the workstation for administration and end-user processing. This user right supersedes the Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services user right if an account is subject to both policies. The recommended state for this setting is to include: Guests, Local account. Caution: Configuring a standalone (non-domain-joined) workstation as descr

How it is checked

Audit method: Shell command

shell

$f = Join-Path $env:TEMP ('tmaegis-' + [guid]::NewGuid().ToString() + '.inf'); secedit /export /cfg $f /areas SECURITYPOLICY USER_RIGHTS /quiet | Out-Null; $c = Get-Content $f -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; Remove-Item $f -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; $line = $c | Where-Object { $_ -match '^\s*SeDenyRemoteInteractiveLogonRight\s*=' } | Select-Object -First 1; $v = if ($line) { ($line -split '=', 2)[1].Trim().Trim('"') } else { $null }; $have = @(if ($v) { $v -split ',' | ForEach-Object { $_.Trim().TrimStart('*') } | Where-Object { $_ } }); $missing = @('S-1-5-32-546','S-1-5-113') | Where-Object { $have -notcontains $_ }; if ($missing.Count -eq 0) { 'compliant' } else { 'non-compliant: ' + ($have -join ',') }

Expected output: compliant

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

Set through Group Policy (domain policy for domain members): Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\User Rights Assignment\Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services

Properties

Operating systems: windows-10
Tags: cis-convertedseceditwindows
Reference: CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise Benchmark v4.0.0 - 2.2.20

Check this host

Run this on a machine you are allowed to audit. The scan is read-only.

shell

tmaegis scan --target windows