Print driver installation privilege is not restricted to administrators.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-1151	3.029	SV-29009r1_rule		Low

Description
By default, the print spooler allows any user to add and to delete printer drivers on the local system. This capability should be restricted to authorized personnel.

STIG	Date
Windows Vista Security Technical Implementation Guide	2017-01-30

Details

Check Text ( C-83r1_chk )
Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. Navigate to Local Policies -> Security Options. If the value for “Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers” is not set to “Enabled”, then this is a finding. The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Providers\LanMan Print Services\Servers Value Name: AddPrinterDrivers Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1 Documentable Explanation: If site circumstances require that users be able to install print drivers for locally attached printers (e.g. - Users that telecommute and attach a home printer), this exception can be documented with the site IAO.

Check Text ( C-83r1_chk )

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view.

Navigate to Local Policies -> Security Options.

If the value for “Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers” is not set to “Enabled”, then this is a finding.

The policy referenced configures the following registry value:

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Providers\LanMan Print Services\Servers

Value Name: AddPrinterDrivers

Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

Documentable Explanation: If site circumstances require that users be able to install print drivers for locally attached printers (e.g. - Users that telecommute and attach a home printer), this exception can be documented with the site IAO.

Fix Text (F-83r1_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> “Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers” to “Enabled”.