Windows must be prevented from using Windows Update to search for drivers.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-226168	WN12-CC-000047	SV-226168r794472_rule		Medium

Description
Some features may communicate with the vendor, sending system information or downloading data or components for the feature. Turning off this capability will prevent potentially sensitive information from being sent outside the enterprise and uncontrolled updates to the system. This setting prevents Windows from searching Windows Update for device drivers when no local drivers for a device are present.

Description

Some features may communicate with the vendor, sending system information or downloading data or components for the feature. Turning off this capability will prevent potentially sensitive information from being sent outside the enterprise and uncontrolled updates to the system. This setting prevents Windows from searching Windows Update for device drivers when no local drivers for a device are present.

STIG	Date
Microsoft Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 Domain Controller Security Technical Implementation Guide	2022-03-01

Details

Check Text ( C-27870r475827_chk )
If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching\ Value Name: DontSearchWindowsUpdate Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

Fix Text (F-27858r475828_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Internet Communication Management -> Internet Communication settings -> "Turn off Windows Update device driver searching" to "Enabled".