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

Microsoft Defender AV must block abuse of exploited vulnerable signed drivers.

DISA Rule

SV-278655r1192816_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-278655

Group Title

SRG-APP-000210

Rule Version

WNDF-AV-000051

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 "56a863a9-875e-4185-98a7-b882c64b5ce5" 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 "56a863a9-875e-4185-98a7-b882c64b5ce5" is REG_SZ = 1, this is not a finding.

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

Vulnerability Number

V-278655

Documentable

False

Rule Version

WNDF-AV-000051

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 "56a863a9-875e-4185-98a7-b882c64b5ce5" 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