The Windows Server 2025 "Load and unload device drivers" user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-278255 | WN25-UR-000150 | SV-278255r1182223_rule | CCI-002235 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| Inappropriately granting user rights provides system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Load and unload device drivers" user right allows a user to load device drivers dynamically on a system. This could be used by an attacker to install malicious code. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2026-02-20 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-278255r1182223_chk)
Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor.
Run gpedit.msc.
Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment.
If any accounts or groups other than the following are granted the "Load and unload device drivers" user right, this is a finding:
- Administrators.
For server core installations, run the following command:
Secedit /Export /Areas User_Rights /cfg c:\path\filename.txt
Review the text file.
If any SIDs other than the following are granted the "SeLoadDriverPrivilege" user right, this is a finding:
S-1-5-32-544 (Administrators)
Fix Text (F-82690r1181898_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment >> Load and unload device drivers to include only the following accounts or groups:
- Administrators.