V-224842
SV-224842r991589_rule
CAT II
Software certificate installation files must be removed from Windows Server 2016.
From: Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide (V2R10)
Description
<VulnDiscussion>Use of software certificates and their accompanying installation files for end users to access resources is less secure than the use of hardware-based certificates.</VulnDiscussion><FalsePositives></FalsePositives><FalseNegatives></FalseNegatives><Documentable>false</Documentable><Mitigations></Mitigations><SeverityOverrideGuidance></SeverityOverrideGuidance><PotentialImpacts></PotentialImpacts><ThirdPartyTools></ThirdPartyTools><MitigationControl></MitigationControl><Responsibility></Responsibility><IAControls></IAControls>
Check Procedure
Search all drives for *.p12 and *.pfx files.
If any files with these extensions exist, this is a finding.
This does not apply to server-based applications that have a requirement for .p12 certificate files or Adobe PreFlight certificate files. Some applications create files with extensions of .p12 that are not certificate installation files. Removal of non-certificate installation files from systems is not required. These must be documented with the ISSO.
Fix Text
Remove any certificate installation files (*.p12 and *.pfx) found on a system.
Note: This does not apply to server-based applications that have a requirement for .p12 certificate files or Adobe PreFlight certificate files.
CCI Reference
CCI-000366- Created
- 2026-01-14 17:55:45
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-14 17:55:45