Windows Defender AV must be configured to turn on e-mail scanning.

From Windows Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-001170

SV-89919r2_rule Windows Defender AV must be configured to turn on e-mail scanning.

Vulnerability discussion

This policy setting allows you to configure e-mail scanning. When e-mail scanning is enabled the engine will parse the mailbox and mail files according to their specific format in order to analyze the mail bodies and attachments. Several e-mail formats are currently supported for example: pst (Outlook) dbx mbx mime (Outlook Express) binhex (Mac). If you enable this setting e-mail scanning will be enabled. If you disable or do not configure this setting e-mail scanning will be disabled.

Check content

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Defender Antivirus -> Scan -> "Turn on e-mail scanning" is set to "Enabled". Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan Criteria: If the value "DisableEmailScanning" is REG_DWORD = 0, this is not a finding.

Fix text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Defender Antivirus -> Scan -> "Turn on e-mail scanning" to "Enabled".

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