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

The Windows Server 2025 "Create symbolic links" user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.

DISA Rule

SV-278249r1182217_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-278249

Group Title

SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125

Rule Version

WN25-UR-000090

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-002235 - Prevent non-privileged users from executing privileged functions.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment >> Create symbolic links to include only the following accounts or groups:
- Administrators.

Systems that have the Hyper-V role will also have "Virtual Machines" given this user right. To add this manually, enter it as "NT Virtual Machine\Virtual Machines".

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 >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment.

If any accounts or groups other than the following are granted the "Create symbolic links" user right, this is a finding:
- Administrators.

For server core installations, run the following command:

Secedit /Export /Areas User_Rights /cfg c:\path\filename.txt

Review the text file.

If any SIDs other than the following are granted the "SeCreateSymbolicLinkPrivilege" user right, this is a finding:

S-1-5-32-544 (Administrators)

Systems that have the Hyper-V role will also have "Virtual Machines" given this user right (this may be displayed as "NT Virtual Machine\Virtual Machines", SID S-1-5-83-0). This is not a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-278249

Documentable

False

Rule Version

WN25-UR-000090

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 >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment.

If any accounts or groups other than the following are granted the "Create symbolic links" user right, this is a finding:
- Administrators.

For server core installations, run the following command:

Secedit /Export /Areas User_Rights /cfg c:\path\filename.txt

Review the text file.

If any SIDs other than the following are granted the "SeCreateSymbolicLinkPrivilege" user right, this is a finding:

S-1-5-32-544 (Administrators)

Systems that have the Hyper-V role will also have "Virtual Machines" given this user right (this may be displayed as "NT Virtual Machine\Virtual Machines", SID S-1-5-83-0). This is not a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5719