Windows Server 2025 must restrict remote calls to the Security Account Manager (SAM) to Administrators on domain-joined member servers and stand-alone or nondomain-joined systems.

The Windows SAM stores users' passwords. Restricting Remote Procedure Call (RPC) connections to the SAM to Administrators helps protect those credentials.

This applies to member servers and stand-alone or nondomain-joined systems; it is not applicable for domain controllers.

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\Control\Lsa\

Value Name: RestrictRemoteSAM

Value Type: REG_SZ Value: O:BAG:BAD:(A;;RC;;;BA)

Navigate to the policy Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> Network access: Restrict clients allowed to make remote calls to SAM.

Select "Edit Security" to configure the "Security descriptor:".

Add "Administrators" in "Group or user names:" if it is not already listed (this is the default).

Select "Administrators" in "Group or user names:".

Select "Allow" for "Remote Access" in "Permissions for "Administrators".

Click "OK".

The "Security descriptor:" must be populated with "O:BAG:BAD:(A;;RC;;;BA) for the policy to be enforced.