Windows Defender AV must be configured to block executable content from email client and webmail.

From MS Windows Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-001170

SV-92661r1_rule Windows Defender AV must be configured to block executable content from email client and webmail.

Vulnerability discussion

This rule blocks the following file types from being run or launched from an email seen in either Microsoft Outlook or webmail (such as Gmail.com or Outlook.com):Executable files (such as .exe, .dll, or .scr)Script files (such as a PowerShell .ps, VisualBasic .vbs, or JavaScript .js file)Script archive files

Check content

This setting is applicable starting with v1709 of Windows 10, it is NA for prior versions. Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Defender Antivirus -> Windows Defender Exploit Guard -> Attack Surface Reduction -> "Configure Attack Surface Reduction rules" is set to "Enabled”. Click ‘Show...’. Verify the rule ID in the Value name column and the desired state in the Value column is set as follows: Value name: BE9BA2D9-53EA-4CDC-84E5-9B1EEEE46550 Value: 1 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 “BE9BA2D9-53EA-4CDC-84E5-9B1EEEE46550” is REG_SZ = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Defender Antivirus -> Windows Defender Exploit Guard -> Attack Surface Reduction -> "Configure Attack Surface Reduction rules" to "Enabled”. Click ‘Show...’. Set the Value name to “BE9BA2D9-53EA-4CDC-84E5-9B1EEEE46550” and the Value to “1”.

Pro Tips

Lavender hyperlinks in small type off to the right (of CSS class id, if you view the page source) point to globally unique URIs for each document and item. Copy the link location and paste anywhere you need to talk unambiguously about these things.

You can obtain data about documents and items in other formats. Simply provide an HTTP header Accept: text/turtle or Accept: application/rdf+xml.