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

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.

Solution

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


Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options\Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers


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.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/1933

Item Details

Category: ACCESS CONTROL

References: 800-53|AC-6(10), CCE|CCE-33958-0, CSCv6|5.1

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 6334fe30a264391def9f19a54c34f272b22e6205e69475f8a8e8788ed64046c8