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V-278672

CAT II (Medium)

Microsoft Defender AV must enable network protection to be configured into block or audit mode on Windows Server.

Rule ID

SV-278672r1190761_rule

STIG

Microsoft Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V2R8

CCIs

CCI-001170

Discussion

Microsoft's Exploit Guard comprises several techniques to defend against phishing attacks and malware. These include controlled folder access, attack surface reduction, and network protection.

Check Content

Note: This requirement is not applicable to desktops.

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard >> Network Protection >> This settings controls whether Network Protection is allowed to be configured into block or audit mode on Windows Server is set to "Enabled".

Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: 
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection

Criteria: If the value "AllowNetworkProtectionOnWinServer" is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

If the value is 0, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard >> Network Protection >> This settings controls whether Network Protection is allowed to be configured into block or audit mode on Windows Server to "Enabled".