Windows SmartScreen must be enabled on Windows 2012/2012 R2.

From Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 Domain Controller Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000381

SV-51747r4_rule Windows SmartScreen must be enabled on Windows 2012/2012 R2.

Vulnerability discussion

Windows SmartScreen helps protect systems from programs downloaded from the Internet that may be malicious. Warning a user before running downloaded unknown software, at minimum, will help prevent potentially malicious programs from executing.

Check content

If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\ Value Name: EnableSmartScreen Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0x00000001 (1) (Give user a warning…) Or 0x00000002 (2) (Require approval…)

Fix text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> File Explorer >> "Configure Windows SmartScreen" to "Enabled" with either "Give user a warning before running downloaded unknown software" or "Require approval from an administrator before running downloaded unknown software" selected. Microsoft has changed this setting several times in the Windows 10 administrative templates, which will affect group policies in a domain if later templates are used. v1607 of Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 changed the setting to only Enabled or Disabled without additional selections. Enabled is effectively "Give user a warning…". v1703 of Windows 10 or later administrative templates changed the policy name to "Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen", and the selectable options are "Warn" and "Warn and prevent bypass". When either of these are applied to a Windows 2012/2012 R2 system, it will configure the registry equivalent of "Give user a warning…").

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