The built-in Microsoft password complexity filter must be enabled.

STIG ID: WN10-AC-000040 |  SRG: SRG-OS-000069-GPOS-00037 |  Severity: medium |  CCI:  | Vulnerability Id: V-220746

Vulnerability Discussion

The use of complex passwords increases their strength against guessing and brute-force attacks. This setting configures the system to verify that newly created passwords conform to the Windows password complexity policy.

Check

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

Fix

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.

If the site is using a password filter that requires this setting be set to "Disabled" for the filter to be used, this would not be considered a finding.