Windows Server 2025 reversible password encryption must be disabled.
Severity | Group ID | Group Title | Version | Rule ID | Date | STIG Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| high | V-278040 | SRG-OS-000073-GPOS-00041 | WN25-AC-000090 | SV-278040r1180826_rule | 2026-02-20 | 1 |
Description
Storing passwords using reversible encryption is essentially the same as storing clear-text versions of the passwords, which are easily compromised. For this reason, this policy must never be enabled.
ℹ️ Check
Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor.
Run gpedit.msc.
Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy.
If the value for "Store passwords using reversible encryption" is not set to "Disabled", this is a finding.
For server core installations, run the following command:
Secedit /Export /Areas SecurityPolicy /CFG C:\Path\FileName.Txt
If "ClearTextPassword" equals "1" in the file, this is a finding.
✔️ Fix
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy. Set "Store passwords using reversible encryption" to "Disabled".