STIGQter: STIG Summary: Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 1 Release: 2 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

The Windows Server 2025 time service must synchronize with an appropriate DOD time source.

DISA Rule

SV-278029r1182267_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-278029

Group Title

SRG-OS-000355-GPOS-00143

Rule Version

WN25-00-000440

Severity

CAT III

CCI(s)

• CCI-004923 - Compare the internal system clocks on an organization-defined frequency with organization-defined authoritative time source.
• CCI-004922 - Synchronize system clocks within and between systems or system components.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure the system to synchronize time with an appropriate DOD time source.

Domain-joined systems use NT5DS to synchronize time from other systems in the domain by default.

If needed, configure the system to point to an authorized time server by setting the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> Windows Time Service >> Time Providers. Change "Configure Windows NTP Client" to "Enabled" and configure the "NtpServer" field to point to an appropriate DOD time server.

The US Naval Observatory operates stratum one-time servers, identified at https://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/time/ntp/DOD-customers. Time synchronization will occur through a hierarchy of time servers down to the local level. Clients and lower-level servers will synchronize with an authorized time server in the hierarchy.

Check Contents

Review the Windows time service configuration.

Open an elevated command prompt (run as administrator).

Enter "W32tm /query /configuration".

Domain-joined systems (excluding the domain controller with the PDC emulator role):

If the value for "Type" under "NTP Client" is not "NT5DS", this is a finding.

Other systems:

If systems are configured with a "Type" of "NTP", including stand-alone or nondomain-joined systems and the domain controller with the PDC Emulator role, and do not have a DOD time server defined for "NTPServer", this is a finding.

To determine the domain controller with the PDC Emulator role:

Open PowerShell.

Enter "Get-ADDomain | FT PDCEmulator".

Vulnerability Number

V-278029

Documentable

False

Rule Version

WN25-00-000440

Severity Override Guidance

Review the Windows time service configuration.

Open an elevated command prompt (run as administrator).

Enter "W32tm /query /configuration".

Domain-joined systems (excluding the domain controller with the PDC emulator role):

If the value for "Type" under "NTP Client" is not "NT5DS", this is a finding.

Other systems:

If systems are configured with a "Type" of "NTP", including stand-alone or nondomain-joined systems and the domain controller with the PDC Emulator role, and do not have a DOD time server defined for "NTPServer", this is a finding.

To determine the domain controller with the PDC Emulator role:

Open PowerShell.

Enter "Get-ADDomain | FT PDCEmulator".

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5719