Title

Microsoft Defender AV must be configured to not exclude files for scanning. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

This policy setting allows disabling of scheduled and real-time scanning for files under the paths specified or for the fully qualified resources specified. Paths should be added under the Options for this setting. Each entry must be listed as a name value pair where the name should be a string representation of a path or a fully qualified resource name. As an example, a path might be defined as: "c:\Windows" to exclude all files in this directory. A fully qualified resource name might be defined as: "C:\Windows\App.exe". The value is not used and it is recommended that this be set to 0. Exceptions can be made to allow file/folders that are impacting enterprise applications to be excluded from being scanned. All exclusions should be documented and approved.

Check Content

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Exclusions >> "Path Exclusions" is set to "Disabled" or "Not Configured. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions Criteria: If the value "Exclusions_Paths" does not exist, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Exclusions >> "Path Exclusions" to "Disabled" or "Not Configured".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-213429r823030_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-213429

Group Title: SRG-APP-000278

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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