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18.9.5.4 (NG) Ensure 'Turn On Virtualization Based Security: Require UEFI Memory Attributes Table' is set to 'True (checked)'

Warning! Audit Deprecated

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

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Information

This option will only enable Virtualization Based Protection of Code Integrity on devices with UEFI firmware support for the Memory Attributes Table. Devices without the UEFI Memory Attributes Table may have firmware that is incompatible with Virtualization Based Protection of Code Integrity which in some cases can lead to crashes or data loss or incompatibility with certain plug-in cards. If not setting this option the targeted devices should be tested to ensure compatibility.

The recommended state for this setting is: True (checked)

 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.

This setting will help protect this control from being enabled on a system that is not compatible which could lead to a crash or data loss.

Solution

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

 Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\System\Device Guard\Turn On Virtualization Based Security: Require UEFI Memory Attributes Table

 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 Release 1703 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.

See Also

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

Item Details

References: CSCv7|8.3

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: ae0396024e3b281d9cee9ac47cb79ce68db30ff52852fbb2cae6e1fdc5970400