When WDigest authentication is enabled, Lsass.exe retains a copy of the user's plaintext password in memory, where it can be at risk of theft. Microsoft recommends disabling WDigest authentication unless it is needed.
If this setting is not configured, WDigest authentication is disabled in Windows 8.1 and in Windows Server 2012 R2; it is enabled by default in earlier versions of Windows and Windows Server.
Update KB2871997 must first be installed to disable WDigest authentication using this setting in Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012.
Enabled: Enables WDigest authentication.
Disabled (recommended): Disables WDigest authentication. For this setting to work on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server 2012, KB2871997 must first be installed.
For more information, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2871997 and http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2014/06/05/an-overview-of-kb2871997.aspx .
| Registry Hive | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE |
| Registry Path | SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\WDigest |
| Value Name | UseLogonCredential |
| Value Type | REG_DWORD |
| Enabled Value | 1 |
| Disabled Value | 0 |