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Windows autologin enabled

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Windows autologin enabled

Severity
7
CVSS
(AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C)
Published
11/01/2004
Created
07/25/2018
Added
11/01/2004
Modified
03/01/2023

Description

Microsoft Windows NT provides a feature called "Automatic logon", which allows a user to automatically log on to his local workstation without entering a password. This feature, while convenient, compromises the physical security of the workstation. Furthermore, it stores the autologin username and password in plaintext in the Windows registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

NOTE: In pre-SP4 versions of Windows NT4, the registry ACLs were incorrectly set on the relevant registry key, allowing any user to read the username and password.

Solution(s)

  • windows-autologin-enabled

References

  • 234562
  • nt-autologonpwd(4)

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