Title

Device driver searches using Windows Update must be prevented. (Cat III impact)

Discussion

Some features may communicate with the vendor, sending system information or downloading data or components for the feature. Turning off this capability will prevent potentially sensitive information from being sent outside the enterprise and uncontrolled updates to the system. This setting will prevent the system from searching Windows Update for device drivers.

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: \Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching\ Value Name: SearchOrderConfig Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Device Installation -> "Specify search order for device driver source locations" to "Enabled: Do not search Windows Update".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-225334r852202_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-225334

Group Title: SRG-OS-000362-GPOS-00149

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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