Microsoft Defender AV must be configured to block the Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) feature.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-213426	WNDF-AV-000001	SV-213426r823024_rule		High

Description

After enabling this feature, PUA protection blocking takes effect on endpoint clients after the next signature update or computer restart. Signature updates take place daily under typical circumstances. PUA will be blocked and automatically quarantined.

STIG	Date
Microsoft Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide	2022-04-08

Details

Check Text (C-14651r820126_chk)

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> "Configure detection for potentially unwanted applications" is set to "Enabled" and "Block".

Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key:

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

If the value "PUAProtection" does not exist, this is a finding.

If the value "PUAProtection" is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix Text (F-14649r823023_fix)

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> "Configure Detection for Potentially Unwanted Applications" to "Enabled" and "Block".