2.3.4.1 Ensure 'Devices: Allowed to format and eject removable media' is set to 'Administrators and Interactive Users'

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Information

This policy setting determines who is allowed to format and eject removable NTFS media. You can use this policy setting to prevent unauthorized users from removing data on one computer to access it on another computer on which they have local administrator privileges.

The recommended state for this setting is: Administrators and Interactive Users.

Rationale:

Users may be able to move data on removable disks to a different computer where they have administrative privileges. The user could then take ownership of any file, grant themselves full control, and view or modify any file. The fact that most removable storage devices will eject media by pressing a mechanical button diminishes the advantage of this policy setting.

Impact:

None - the default value is Administrators only. Administrators and Interactive Users will be able to format and eject removable NTFS media.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration, set the following Device Configuration Policy to Administrators and Interactive Users:

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 (Endpoint protection)

Click Create

Enter a Name

Click Next

Configure the following Setting

Path: Endpoint protection/Local device security options/Devices
Setting Name: Format and eject removable media
Configuration: Administrators and Interactive Users

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 setting can also be created via a Custom Configuration Profile using the following OMA-URI:

Name: <Enter name>
Description: <Enter Description>
OMA-URI: ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/LocalPoliciesSecurityOptions/Devices_AllowedToFormatAndEjectRemovableMedia
Data type: String
Value: Administrators and Interactive Users

Important: When there is more than one value that needs to be entered (ex: Guests, Administrator), the XML value of will need to be converted to US-ASCII to separate the values in the Value field of the Custom Device Configuration Policy. This value should convert to a square with a question mark in it (). Please note that when copied from the converter to Intune a square will appear, but the value will still work. Also note that this value cannot be copied from sources like Microsoft Word. We recommend that the value be copied and used directly from the converter.

Select OK

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

Note #3: The following link is an alternative way to set the 'User Rights Assignment' section. Policy CSP - UserRights - Windows Client Management | Microsoft Docs

Default Value:

Administrators. (Only Administrators will be able to format and eject removable NTFS media.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/4291