Microsoft Defender Antivirus STIG Version Comparison

There are 68 differences between versions v2 r3 (Nov. 1, 2021) (the "left" version) and v2 r6 (Sept. 24, 2025) (the "right" version).

Check WNDF-AV-000043 was added to the benchmark in the "right" version.

This check's original form is available here.

Title

Microsoft Defender AV must block Adobe Reader from creating child processes.

Check Content

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard >> Attack Surface Reduction >> Configure Attack Surface Reduction rules is set to "Enabled". Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\ASR\Rules Criteria: If the value "7674ba52-37eb-4a4f-a9a1-f0f9a1619a2c" is REG_SZ = 1, this is not a finding. If the value is other than 1, this is a finding.

Discussion

This policy setting prevents Adobe Reader from launching other processes, which can help mitigate security risks associated with malicious PDF files.

Fix

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard >> Attack Surface Reduction >> Configure Attack Surface Reduction rules to "Enabled". Under the policy option "Set the state for each ASR rule:", then click "Show". Enter GUID "7674ba52-37eb-4a4f-a9a1-f0f9a1619a2c" in the "Value Name" column. Enter "1" in the "Value" column. Click "OK". Click "Apply".