Title

Microsoft Defender AV must set cloud protection level to High. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Cloud protection in Microsoft Defender Antivirus delivers accurate, real-time, and intelligent protection. Cloud protection should be enabled by default.

Check Content

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> MpEngine >> Select cloud protection level is set to "Enabled". Verify the policy value for "Select cloud blocking level" is set to "High blocking level"; otherwise, this is a finding. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\MpEngine Criteria: If the value "MpCloudBlockLevel" is REG_DWORD = 2, this is not a finding. If the value is other than 2, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> MpEngine >> Select cloud protection level to "Enabled". Set policy value "Select cloud blocking level" to "High blocking level". Click "OK". Click "Apply".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-278863r1144086_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-278863

Group Title: SRG-APP-000210

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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