STIGQter: STIG Summary: Microsoft Windows Server Domain Name System (DNS) Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 5 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

The Windows DNS Server key file must be owned by the account under which the Windows DNS Server service is run.

DISA Rule

SV-259368r1212359_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-259368

Group Title

SRG-APP-000176-DNS-000018

Rule Version

WDNS-22-000040

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-000186 - For public key-based authentication, enforce authorized access to the corresponding private key.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Access Windows Explorer.

Navigate to the following location:

%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Crypto

Right-click on each subfolder, choose "Properties", click the "Security" tab, and click the "Advanced" button.

Click "Change" next to the listed Owner and change to be the account under which the DNS Server Service is running.

Check Contents

Note: This check is not applicable for Windows DNS Servers that host only Active Directory (AD)-integrated zones or for Windows DNS Servers on a classified network.

Access Services on the Windows DNS Server and locate the DNS Server Service.

Determine the account under which the DNS Server Service is running.

Access Windows Explorer.

Navigate to the following location:

%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Crypto

Note: If the folder above does not exist, this check is not applicable.

Right-click on each subfolder, choose "Properties", click the "Security" tab, and click the "Advanced" button.

Verify the Owner on the folder, subfolders, and files is the account under which the DNS Server Service is running.

If any other user or group is listed as OWNER of the %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Crypto folder, subfolders, and files, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-259368

Documentable

False

Rule Version

WDNS-22-000040

Severity Override Guidance

Note: This check is not applicable for Windows DNS Servers that host only Active Directory (AD)-integrated zones or for Windows DNS Servers on a classified network.

Access Services on the Windows DNS Server and locate the DNS Server Service.

Determine the account under which the DNS Server Service is running.

Access Windows Explorer.

Navigate to the following location:

%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Crypto

Note: If the folder above does not exist, this check is not applicable.

Right-click on each subfolder, choose "Properties", click the "Security" tab, and click the "Advanced" button.

Verify the Owner on the folder, subfolders, and files is the account under which the DNS Server Service is running.

If any other user or group is listed as OWNER of the %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Crypto folder, subfolders, and files, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5576