Title

Early Launch Antimalware, Boot-Start Driver Initialization Policy must be enabled and configured to only Good and Unknown. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Compromised boot drivers can introduce malware prior to some protection mechanisms that load after initialization. The Early Launch Antimalware driver can limit allowed drivers based on classifications determined by the malware protection application. At a minimum, drivers determined to be bad must not be allowed.

Check Content

If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Policies\EarlyLaunch\ Value Name: DriverLoadPolicy Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Early Launch Antimalware -> "Boot-Start Driver Initialization Policy" to "Enabled" with "Good and Unknown" selected.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID:

Vulnerability ID: V-36679

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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