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Check: WNDF-AV-000001

Microsoft Defender Antivirus STIG: WNDF-AV-000001 (in versions v2 r3 through v1 r8)

Title

Windows Defender AV must be configured to block the Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) feature. (Cat I impact)

Discussion

After enabling this feature, PUA protection blocking takes effect on endpoint clients after the next signature update or computer restart. Signature updates take place daily under typical circumstances. PUA will be blocked and automatically quarantined.

Check Content

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Windows Defender Antivirus >> "Configure detection for potentially unwanted applications" is set to "Enabled" and "Block". Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender If the value "PUAProtection" does not exist, this is a finding. If the value "PUAProtection" is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Windows Defender Antivirus >> "Configure Detection for Potentially Unwanted Applications" to "Enabled" and "Block".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-213426r569189_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-213426

Group Title: SRG-APP-000279

Expert Comments

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CCIs

CCIs tied to check.

Number	Definition
CCI-001243	The organization configures malicious code protection mechanisms to perform organization-defined action(s) in response to malicious code detection.

Controls

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.

Number	Title
SI-3	Malicious Code Protection