Windows Defender AV must be configured to not exclude files opened by specified processes.

From Windows Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-001242

SV-89837r2_rule Windows Defender AV must be configured to not exclude files opened by specified processes.

Vulnerability discussion

This policy setting allows you to disable scheduled and real-time scanning for any file opened by any of the specified processes. The process itself will not be excluded. To exclude the process use the Path exclusion. Processes should be added under the Options for this setting. Each entry must be listed as a name value pair where the name should be a string representation of the path to the process image. Note that only executables can be excluded. For example a process might be defined as: "c:\windows\app.exe". The value is not used and it is recommended that this be set to 0.

Check content

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Defender Antivirus -> Exclusions -> "Process Exclusions" is set to "Disabled" or "Not Configured". Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions Criteria: If the value "Exclusions_Processes" does not exist, this is not a finding.

Fix text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Defender Antivirus -> Exclusions -> "Process Exclusions" to "Disabled" or "Not Configured".

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