Domain Policy was changed

// EVENT DEFINITION:

Domain password policy, account lockout thresholds, or Kerberos settings were modified.

// DETAILED TELEMETRY & CONTEXT:

Event ID 4739 triggers when domain-wide password policies (`MinimumPasswordLength`, `PasswordHistoryLength`), account lockout thresholds (`LockoutDuration`, `LockoutBadCount`), or LSA policies are modified. Attackers often lower or disable account lockout policies prior to launching high-speed brute-force or password spraying attacks across the domain.

[ ! ]Failure Reason / Root Cause Analysis

Modification of domain account/lockout security policy (`Domain Policy`).

Operational Metadata & Applicability

Log Category:Policy Change

Audit Type Classification:Success Audit

Supported Operating Systems:Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022 / Windows Client 10, 11 (Enterprise / Pro)

Threat Hunting Keywords:

4739domain policy changedlockout threshold disabledpassword policy modifiedgpo change

MITRE ATT&CK Framework Alignment

T1562.001

Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify ToolsTactic: Defense Evasion

T1110.001

Brute Force: Password GuessingTactic: Credential Access

Mitigation Playbook & Recommended SOC Actions

•Inspect the changed parameters immediately (`LockoutThreshold`, `MinPasswordLength`). If lockout thresholds were disabled (`LockoutThreshold: 0`), treat as preparation for widespread brute-force.
•Verify that GPO changes originated from authorized GPO administrators.

Representative Windows Event XML Schema

<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Security-Auditing" Guid="{54849625-5478-4994-A5BA-3E3B0328C30D}" />
    <EventID>4739</EventID>
    <Version>0</Version>
    <Level>0</Level>
    <Task>12544</Task>
    <Opcode>0</Opcode>
    <Keywords>0x8020000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2026-07-17T09:54:44.317Z" />
    <EventRecordID>1048576</EventRecordID>
    <Correlation />
    <Execution ProcessID="612" ThreadID="1024" />
    <Channel>Security</Channel>
    <Computer>DC01.enterprise.internal</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data Name="SubjectUserSid">S-1-5-18</Data>
    <Data Name="SubjectUserName">SYSTEM</Data>
    <Data Name="SubjectDomainName">NT AUTHORITY</Data>
    <Data Name="SubjectLogonId">0x3e7</Data>
    <!-- Event telemetry fields specific to Domain Policy was changed -->
  </EventData>
</Event>

Correlated / Related Security Event IDs

Need to export or view this event without styling/layout wrappers?

Open Simple Plain Detail Page →

ADVERTISEMENT / SPONSORED RESERVATION (728x90)