18.9.11.4 Ensure 'Disable new DMA devices when this computer is locked' 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

This policy setting allows you to block direct memory access (DMA) for all hot pluggable PCI downstream ports until a user logs into Windows.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.

Note: Microsoft changed the implementation of this setting in Windows 10 R1709 to strengthen its enforcement. As a result, some hardware configurations may experience unexpected problems with this setting in that release (or newer), until updated firmware and/or drivers from the vendor are installed to correct the problem. See the Impact Statement for more information.

Rationale:

A BitLocker-protected computer may be vulnerable to Direct Memory Access (DMA) attacks when the computer is turned on or is in the Standby power state - this includes when the workstation is locked. Enabling this setting will help prevent such an attack while the computer is left unattended.

Impact:

Newly attached hardware devices that use DMA will not function on a locked (or signed out) workstation until the user has unlocked the session or logged in. Some hardware configurations may experience unexpected problems with this setting in Windows 10 R1709 (or newer), requiring updated firmware and/or drivers to correct the problem. See MSKB 4057300 for more information. We recommend testing this setting on all examples of workstation hardware before deploying it on a large scale - to see if vendor firmware and/or driver updates are first required.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Enabled:

Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\BitLocker Drive Encryption\Disable new DMA devices when this computer is locked

Note: This Group Policy path may not exist by default. It is provided by the Group Policy template VolumeEncryption.admx/adml that is included with the Microsoft Windows 10 Release 1703 Administrative Templates (or newer).

Default Value:

Disabled. (Newly attached DMA devices will function even while the workstation is locked or signed out.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3714