Detections
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18.9.5.3 (NG) Ensure 'Turn On Virtualization Based Security: Virtualization Based Protection of Code Integrity' is set to 'Enabled with UEFI lock'

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Information

This setting enables virtualization based protection of Kernel Mode Code Integrity. When this is enabled, kernel mode memory protections are enforced and the Code Integrity validation path is protected by the Virtualization Based Security feature.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled with UEFI lock

 Note: Virtualization Based Security requires a 64-bit version of Windows with Secure Boot enabled, which in turn requires that Windows was installed with a UEFI BIOS configuration, not a Legacy BIOS configuration. In addition, if running Windows on a virtual machine, the hardware-assisted CPU virtualization feature (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) must be exposed by the host to the guest VM.

More information on system requirements for this feature can be found at Windows Defender Credential Guard Requirements (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/credential-guard/credential-guard-requirements

 Note #2: Credential Guard and Device Guard are not currently supported when using Azure IaaS VMs.

The Enabled with UEFI lock option ensures that Virtualization Based Protection of Code Integrity cannot be disabled remotely.

Solution

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

 Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\System\Device Guard\Turn On Virtualization Based Security: Virtualization Based Protection of Code Integrity

 Note: This Group Policy path may not exist by default. It is provided by the Group Policy template DeviceGuard.admx/adml that is included with the Microsoft Windows 10 RTM (Release 1507) Administrative Templates (or newer).

Impact:

 Warning: All drivers on the system must be compatible with this feature or the system may crash. Ensure that this policy setting is only deployed to computers which are known to be compatible.

 Warning #2: Once this setting is turned on and active, Virtualization Based Security cannot be disabled solely via GPO or any other remote method. After removing the setting from GPO, the features must also be manually disabled locally at the machine using the steps provided at this link:

Manage Windows Defender Credential Guard (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/credential-guard/credential-guard-manage#disable-windows-defender-credential-guard

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/22481

Item Details

References: CSCv7|8.3

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 3a2f30cda3d91c5c1aef89fd6437ad1adbb7beb4cc8d8e657d9c000d40ffc198