Title

Windows Server 2019 virtualization-based security must be enabled with the platform security level configured to Secure Boot or Secure Boot with DMA Protection. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Virtualization-based security (VBS) provides the platform for the additional security features Credential Guard and virtualization-based protection of code integrity. Secure Boot is the minimum security level, with DMA protection providing additional memory protection. DMA Protection requires a CPU that supports input/output memory management unit (IOMMU).

Check Content

For standalone or nondomain-joined systems, this is NA. Open "PowerShell" with elevated privileges (run as administrator). Enter the following: "Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_DeviceGuard -Namespace root\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard" If "RequiredSecurityProperties" does not include a value of "2" indicating "Secure Boot" (e.g., "{1, 2}"), this is a finding. If "Secure Boot and DMA Protection" is configured, "3" will also be displayed in the results (e.g., "{1, 2, 3}"). If "VirtualizationBasedSecurityStatus" is not a value of "2" indicating "Running", this is a finding. Alternately: Run "System Information". Under "System Summary", verify the following: If "Virtualization based security" does not display "Running", this is a finding. If "Virtualization based Required security Properties" does not display "Base Virtualization Support, Secure Boot", this is a finding. If "Secure Boot and DMA Protection" is configured, "DMA Protection" will also be displayed (e.g., "Base Virtualization Support, Secure Boot, DMA Protection"). The policy settings referenced in the Fix section will configure the following registry values. However, due to hardware requirements, the registry values alone do not ensure proper function. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard\ Value Name: EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0x00000001 (1) Value Name: RequirePlatformSecurityFeatures Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0x00000001 (1) (Secure Boot only) or 0x00000003 (3) (Secure Boot and DMA Protection) A Microsoft TechNet article on Credential Guard, including system requirement details, can be found at the following link: https://technet.microsoft.com/itpro/windows/keep-secure/credential-guard

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> Device Guard >> "Turn On Virtualization Based Security" to "Enabled" with "Secure Boot" or "Secure Boot and DMA Protection" selected. A Microsoft TechNet article on Credential Guard, including system requirement details, can be found at the following link: https://technet.microsoft.com/itpro/windows/keep-secure/credential-guard

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-205864r902431_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-205864

Group Title: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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