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

Windows Server 2025 must have the built-in Windows password complexity policy enabled.

DISA Rule

SV-278039r1180823_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-278039

Group Title

SRG-OS-000069-GPOS-00037

Rule Version

WN25-AC-000080

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-004066 - For password-based authentication, enforce organization-defined composition and complexity rules.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy. Set the value for "Password must meet complexity requirements" to "Enabled".

Check Contents

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 "Password must meet complexity requirements" is not set to "Enabled", this is a finding.

For server core installations, run the following command:

Secedit /Export /Areas SecurityPolicy /CFG C:\Path\FileName.Txt

If "PasswordComplexity" equals "0" in the file, this is a finding.

Note: If an external password filter is in use that enforces all four character types and requires this setting to be set to "Disabled", this would not be considered a finding. If this setting does not affect the use of an external password filter, it must be enabled for fallback purposes.

Vulnerability Number

V-278039

Documentable

False

Rule Version

WN25-AC-000080

Severity Override Guidance

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 "Password must meet complexity requirements" is not set to "Enabled", this is a finding.

For server core installations, run the following command:

Secedit /Export /Areas SecurityPolicy /CFG C:\Path\FileName.Txt

If "PasswordComplexity" equals "0" in the file, this is a finding.

Note: If an external password filter is in use that enforces all four character types and requires this setting to be set to "Disabled", this would not be considered a finding. If this setting does not affect the use of an external password filter, it must be enabled for fallback purposes.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5719