Title

User Account Control must only elevate UIAccess applications that are installed in secure locations. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

User Account Control (UAC) is a security mechanism for limiting the elevation of privileges, including administrative accounts, unless authorized. This setting configures Windows to only allow applications installed in a secure location on the file system, such as the Program Files or the Windows\System32 folders, to run with elevated privileges.

Check Content

UAC requirements are NA for Server Core installations (this is the default installation option for Windows Server 2016 versus Server with Desktop Experience) as well as Nano Server. 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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\ Value Name: EnableSecureUIAPaths Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0x00000001 (1)

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "User Account Control: Only elevate UIAccess applications that are installed in secure locations" to "Enabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-225066r569186_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-225066

Group Title: SRG-OS-000134-GPOS-00068

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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