2.3.4.2 Ensure 'Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers' is set to 'Enabled'

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This audit has been deprecated and will be removed in a future update.

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Information

For a computer to print to a shared printer, the driver for that shared printer must be installed on the local computer. This security setting determines who is allowed to install a printer driver as part of connecting to a shared printer.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.

Note: This setting does not affect the ability to add a local printer. This setting does not affect Administrators.

Rationale:

It may be appropriate in some organizations to allow users to install printer drivers on their own workstations. However, in a high security environment, you should allow only Administrators, not users, to do this, because printer driver installation may unintentionally cause the computer to become less stable. A malicious user could install inappropriate printer drivers in a deliberate attempt to damage the computer, or a user might accidentally install malicious software that masquerades as a printer driver. It is feasible for an attacker to disguise a Trojan horse program as a printer driver. The program may appear to users as if they must use it to print, but such a program could unleash malicious code on your computer network.

Impact:

Only Administrators will be able to install a printer driver as part of connecting to a shared printer. The ability to add a local printer will not be affected.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration, set the following Device Configuration Policy to 'Enabled':

To access the Device Configuration Policy from the Intune Home page:

Click Devices

Click Configuration profiles

Click Create profile

Select the platform (Windows 10 and later)

Select the profile (Custom)

Click Create

Enter a Name

Click Next

Configure the following Setting

Name: <Enter name>
Description: <Enter Description>
OMA-URI: ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/LocalPoliciesSecurityOptions/Devices_PreventUsersFromInstallingPrinterDriversWhenConnectingToSharedPrinters
Data type: Integer
Value: 1

Select OK

Continue through the Wizard to complete the creation of the profile (profile assignments, applicability etc.)

Note: More than one configuration setting from each of the Configuration profiles (ex: Administrative Templates, Custom etc.) can be added to each Device Configuration Policy.

Note #2: This recommendation can also be set using the Endpoint protection profile using Local device security options/Devices settings.

Default Value:

Disabled. (Any user can install a printer driver as part of connecting to a shared printer.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3358