The Symantec Endpoint Protection client Auto-Protect Scan Actions settings must be explicitly configured at the top, Security Risks, level and not be overridden by the Joke Program sub-level.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-42699	DTASEP033	SV-55427r1_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 delete the file first will prevent the infection from spreading.

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 delete the file first will prevent the infection from spreading.

STIG	Date
Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1 Local Client Antivirus STIG	2015-06-30

Details

Check Text ( C-48971r1_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 Actions -> Under Security Risks -> Select Joke Program -> Ensure "Override actions configured for Security Risks" is NOT selected. Criteria: If "Override actions configured for Security Risks" 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\Expanded Criteria: If the value of FirstAction is not 3, this is a finding. If the value of FirstAction is 3, then check A. A must be compliant for the check to be not a finding. A - If the value of OverrideDefaultActions within HKLM\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\AV\Storages\Filesystem\RealTimeScan\Expanded\TCID-11 is 0 or the value is not there, this is not a finding. 64 bit: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\AV\Storages\Filesystem \RealTimeScan\Expanded Criteria: If the value of FirstAction is not 3, this is a finding. If the value of FirstAction is 3, then check A. A must be compliant for the check to be not a finding. A - If the value of OverrideDefaultActions within HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\AV\Storages\Filesystem\RealTimeScan\Expanded\TCID-11 is 0 or the value is not there, this is not a finding.

Check Text ( C-48971r1_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 Actions -> Under Security Risks -> Select Joke Program -> Ensure "Override actions configured for Security Risks" is NOT selected.

Criteria: If "Override actions configured for Security Risks" 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\Expanded

Criteria: If the value of FirstAction is not 3, this is a finding.
If the value of FirstAction is 3, then check A. A must be compliant for the check to be not a finding.
A - If the value of OverrideDefaultActions within HKLM\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\AV\Storages\Filesystem\RealTimeScan\Expanded\TCID-11 is 0 or the value is not there, this is not a finding.

64 bit:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\AV\Storages\Filesystem \RealTimeScan\Expanded

Criteria: If the value of FirstAction is not 3, this is a finding.
If the value of FirstAction is 3, then check A. A must be compliant for the check to be not a finding.
A - If the value of OverrideDefaultActions within HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\AV\Storages\Filesystem\RealTimeScan\Expanded\TCID-11 is 0 or the value is not there, this is not a finding.

Fix Text (F-48284r1_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 Actions -> Under Security Risks -> Select Joke Program -> Ensure "Override actions configured for Security Risks" is NOT selected.

Fix Text (F-48284r1_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 Actions -> Under Security Risks -> Select Joke Program -> Ensure "Override actions configured for Security Risks" is NOT selected.