The Symantec Endpoint Protection client Auto-Protect Backup Option must be disabled to prevent backing up infected files before attempting to repair them.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-42679	DTASEP015	SV-55407r1_rule		Medium

Description
Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) include Spyware, Adware, Remote Administration Tools, Dialers, Password Crackers, Jokes, and Key Loggers. While PUPs do not typically have any infection capability on their own, they rely on malware or other attach mechanisms to be installed onto target hosts, after which they will collect and transfer data from the host to an external host and/or will be used as attach mechanisms. Configuring the antivirus software to attempt to clean the file first will allow for the possibility of a false positive. If files are backed up before they are repaired, this could possibly allow the infection to stay on the system.

Description

Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) include Spyware, Adware, Remote Administration Tools, Dialers, Password Crackers, Jokes, and Key Loggers. While PUPs do not typically have any infection capability on their own, they rely on malware or other attach mechanisms to be installed onto target hosts, after which they will collect and transfer data from the host to an external host and/or will be used as attach mechanisms. Configuring the antivirus software to attempt to clean the file first will allow for the possibility of a false positive. If files are backed up before they are repaired, this could possibly allow the infection to stay on the system.

STIG	Date
Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1 Local Client Antivirus STIG	2014-07-03

Details

Check Text ( C-48950r1_chk )
GUI check: Locate the Symantec Endpoint Protection icon in the system tray. Double-click the icon to open the Symantec Endpoint Protection configuration screen. On the left hand side, select Change settings -> Under Virus and Spyware Protection -> Select Configure Settings -> Under the Auto-Protect tab -> Select Advanced -> Under Backup options -> Ensure "Back up files before attempting to repair them" is not selected. Criteria: If "Back up files before attempting to repair them" is selected, this is a finding. On the machine use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: 32 bit: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\AV\Storages\Filesystem\RealTimeScan 64 bit: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\AV\Storages\Filesystem\RealTimeScan Criteria: If the value of BackupToQuarantine is not 0, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-48950r1_chk )

GUI check: Locate the Symantec Endpoint Protection icon in the system tray. Double-click the icon to open the Symantec Endpoint Protection configuration screen. On the left hand side, select Change settings -> Under Virus and Spyware Protection -> Select Configure Settings -> Under the Auto-Protect tab -> Select Advanced -> Under Backup options -> Ensure "Back up files before attempting to repair them" is not selected.

Criteria: If "Back up files before attempting to repair them" is selected, this is a finding.

On the machine use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key:
32 bit:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\AV\Storages\Filesystem\RealTimeScan
64 bit:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\AV\Storages\Filesystem\RealTimeScan

Criteria: If the value of BackupToQuarantine is not 0, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-48264r1_fix)
Locate the Symantec Endpoint Protection icon in the system tray. Double-click the icon to open the Symantec Endpoint Protection configuration screen. On the left hand side, select Change settings -> Under Virus and Spyware Protection -> Select Configure Settings -> Under the Auto-Protect tab -> Select Advanced -> Under Backup options -> Ensure "Back up files before attempting to repair them" is not selected.

Fix Text (F-48264r1_fix)

Locate the Symantec Endpoint Protection icon in the system tray. Double-click the icon to open the Symantec Endpoint Protection configuration screen. On the left hand side, select Change settings -> Under Virus and Spyware Protection -> Select Configure Settings -> Under the Auto-Protect tab -> Select Advanced -> Under Backup options -> Ensure "Back up files before attempting to repair them" is not selected.