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

Microsoft Defender AV must control whether exclusions are visible to Local Admins.

DISA Rule

SV-278658r1207388_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-278658

Group Title

SRG-APP-000210

Rule Version

WNDF-AV-000100

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Control whether exclusions are visible to Local Admins to "Enabled".

Check Contents

Note: This requirement must be applied last due to the configuration hiding other requirements in the STIG.

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Control whether or not exclusions are visible to Local Admins 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 "HideExclusionsFromLocalAdmins" is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

If the value is "0", this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-278658

Documentable

False

Rule Version

WNDF-AV-000100

Severity Override Guidance

Note: This requirement must be applied last due to the configuration hiding other requirements in the STIG.

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Control whether or not exclusions are visible to Local Admins 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 "HideExclusionsFromLocalAdmins" 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