Title

Explorer Data Execution Prevention must be enabled. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Data Execution Prevention (DEP) provides additional protection by performing checks on memory to help prevent malicious code from running. This setting will prevent Data Execution Prevention from being turned off for File Explorer.

Check Content

The default behavior is for data execution prevention to be turned on for file explorer. If the registry value name below does not exist, this is not a finding. If it exists and is configured with a value of "0", this is not a finding. If it exists and is configured with a value of "1", this is a finding. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\ Value Name: NoDataExecutionPrevention Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0 (or if the Value Name does not exist)

Fix Text

The default behavior is for data execution prevention to be turned on for file explorer. If this needs to be corrected, configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> File Explorer >> "Turn off Data Execution Prevention for Explorer" to "Not Configured" or "Disabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-220837r851992_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-220837

Group Title: SRG-OS-000433-GPOS-00192

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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