Title

Microsoft Defender AV must disable auto exclusions. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Custom exclusions apply to scheduled scans, on-demand scans, and always-on real-time protection and monitoring. Exclusions for process-opened files only apply to real-time protection.

Check Content

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Exclusions >> Turn off Auto Exclusions is set to "Disabled"; otherwise, this is a finding. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions Criteria: If the value "DisableAutoExclusions" is REG_DWORD = 0, this is not a finding. If the value is 1, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Exclusions >> Turn off Auto Exclusions to "Disabled". Click "OK". Click "Apply".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-278673r1144069_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-278673

Group Title: SRG-APP-000210

Expert Comments

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