STIGQter: STIG Summary: Microsoft Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 9 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

Microsoft Defender AV must block credential stealing from the Windows local security authority subsystem.

DISA Rule

SV-278648r1192809_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-278648

Group Title

SRG-APP-000210

Rule Version

WNDF-AV-000044

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-001170 - Prevents the automatic execution of mobile code in organization-defined software applications.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard >> Attack Surface Reduction >> Configure Attack Surface Reduction rules to "Enabled".

Under the policy option "Set the state for each ASR rule:", then click "Show".

Enter GUID "9e6c4e1f-7d60-472f-ba1a-a39ef669e4b2" in the "Value Name" column.

Enter "1" in the "Value" column.

Check Contents

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard >> Attack Surface Reduction >> Configure Attack Surface Reduction rules 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\ASR\Rules

Criteria: If the value "9e6c4e1f-7d60-472f-ba1a-a39ef669e4b2" is REG_SZ = 1, this is not a finding.

If the value is other than 1, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-278648

Documentable

False

Rule Version

WNDF-AV-000044

Severity Override Guidance

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard >> Attack Surface Reduction >> Configure Attack Surface Reduction rules 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\ASR\Rules

Criteria: If the value "9e6c4e1f-7d60-472f-ba1a-a39ef669e4b2" is REG_SZ = 1, this is not a finding.

If the value is other than 1, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

3985