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V-278679

CAT II (Medium)

Microsoft Defender AV must scan packed executables.

Rule ID

SV-278679r1190773_rule

STIG

Microsoft Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V2R8

CCIs

CCI-002624

Discussion

This policy setting manages whether Microsoft Defender Antivirus scans packed executables. Packed executables are executable files that contain compressed code.

Check Content

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Scan >> Scan packed executables is set to "Enabled"; otherwise, this is a finding.

Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: 
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan

Criteria: If the value "DisablePackedExeScanning" is REG_DWORD = 0, this is not a finding.

If the value is 1, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Scan >> Scan packed executables to "Enabled".