Windows Server 2016 virtualization-based security must be enabled with the platform security level configured to Secure Boot or Secure Boot with DMA Protection.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-224923	WN16-CC-000110	SV-224923r793232_rule		Medium

Description
Virtualization Based Security (VBS) provides the platform for the additional security features Credential Guard and virtualization-based protection of code integrity. Secure Boot is the minimum security level, with DMA protection providing additional memory protection. DMA Protection requires a CPU that supports input/output memory management unit (IOMMU).

STIG	Date
Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2022-03-01

Details

Check Text ( C-26614r793231_chk )
For standalone systems, this is NA. Open "PowerShell" with elevated privileges (run as administrator). Enter the following: "Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_DeviceGuard -Namespace root\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard" If "RequiredSecurityProperties" does not include a value of "2" indicating "Secure Boot" (e.g., "{1, 2}"), this is a finding. If "Secure Boot and DMA Protection" is configured, "3" will also be displayed in the results (e.g., "{1, 2, 3}"). If "VirtualizationBasedSecurityStatus" is not a value of "2" indicating "Running", this is a finding. Alternately: Run "System Information". Under "System Summary", verify the following: If "Device Guard Virtualization based security" does not display "Running", this is finding. If "Device Guard Required Security Properties" does not display "Base Virtualization Support, Secure Boot", this is finding. If "Secure Boot and DMA Protection" is configured, "DMA Protection" will also be displayed (e.g., "Base Virtualization Support, Secure Boot, DMA Protection"). The policy settings referenced in the Fix section will configure the following registry values. However, due to hardware requirements, the registry values alone do not ensure proper function. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard\ Value Name: EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0x00000001 (1) Value Name: RequirePlatformSecurityFeatures Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0x00000001 (1) (Secure Boot only) or 0x00000003 (3) (Secure Boot and DMA Protection) A Microsoft TechNet article on Credential Guard, including system requirement details, can be found at the following link: https://technet.microsoft.com/itpro/windows/keep-secure/credential-guard

Check Text ( C-26614r793231_chk )

For standalone systems, this is NA.

Open "PowerShell" with elevated privileges (run as administrator).

Enter the following:

"Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_DeviceGuard -Namespace root\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard"

If "RequiredSecurityProperties" does not include a value of "2" indicating "Secure Boot" (e.g., "{1, 2}"), this is a finding.

If "Secure Boot and DMA Protection" is configured, "3" will also be displayed in the results (e.g., "{1, 2, 3}").

If "VirtualizationBasedSecurityStatus" is not a value of "2" indicating "Running", this is a finding.

Alternately:

Run "System Information".

Under "System Summary", verify the following:

If "Device Guard Virtualization based security" does not display "Running", this is finding.

If "Device Guard Required Security Properties" does not display "Base Virtualization Support, Secure Boot", this is finding.

If "Secure Boot and DMA Protection" is configured, "DMA Protection" will also be displayed (e.g., "Base Virtualization Support, Secure Boot, DMA Protection").

The policy settings referenced in the Fix section will configure the following registry values. However, due to hardware requirements, the registry values alone do not ensure proper function.

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard\

Value Name: EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x00000001 (1)

Value Name: RequirePlatformSecurityFeatures
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x00000001 (1) (Secure Boot only) or 0x00000003 (3) (Secure Boot and DMA Protection)

A Microsoft TechNet article on Credential Guard, including system requirement details, can be found at the following link:

https://technet.microsoft.com/itpro/windows/keep-secure/credential-guard

Fix Text (F-26602r465672_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> Device Guard >> "Turn On Virtualization Based Security" to "Enabled" with "Secure Boot" or "Secure Boot and DMA Protection" selected. A Microsoft TechNet article on Credential Guard, including system requirement details, can be found at the following link: https://technet.microsoft.com/itpro/windows/keep-secure/credential-guard

Fix Text (F-26602r465672_fix)

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> Device Guard >> "Turn On Virtualization Based Security" to "Enabled" with "Secure Boot" or "Secure Boot and DMA Protection" selected.

A Microsoft TechNet article on Credential Guard, including system requirement details, can be found at the following link:

https://technet.microsoft.com/itpro/windows/keep-secure/credential-guard