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

Microsoft Defender AV must configure local administrator merge behavior for lists.

DISA Rule

SV-278656r1192817_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-278656

Group Title

SRG-APP-000210

Rule Version

WNDF-AV-000052

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 >> Configure local administrator merge behavior for lists to "Enabled".

Check Contents

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Configure local administrator merge behavior for lists 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

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

If the value is 0, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-278656

Documentable

False

Rule Version

WNDF-AV-000052

Severity Override Guidance

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Configure local administrator merge behavior for lists 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

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

If the value is 0, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

3985