The "Create symbolic links" user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-253489 | WN11-UR-000060 | SV-253489r958726_rule | Medium |
| Description |
| Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Create symbolic links" user right can create pointers to other objects, which could potentially expose the system to attack. |
| STIG | Date |
| Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-15 |
Details
| Check Text (C-56942r829549_chk) |
| 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 groups or accounts other than the following are granted the "Create symbolic links" user right, this is a finding: Administrators If the workstation has an approved use of Hyper-V, such as being used as a dedicated admin workstation using Hyper-V to separate administration and standard user functions, "NT VIRTUAL MACHINES\VIRTUAL MACHINE" may be assigned this user right and is not a finding. |
| Fix Text (F-56892r829550_fix) |
| Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment >> "Create symbolic links" to only include the following groups or accounts: Administrators |