Advice Request Disable execution access via Group Policy to prevent removable media malware

[Nikos751]

Today I came across the latest ATP test results on av-comparatives.org , and noticed Windows Defender inability to protect from the malware used in that test, coming from removable storage, in the specific testing circumstances.
I wonder if denying execution access to removable media via Group Policy would protect the system. Would such measure, generally, be a bullet proof solution for usb malware? Copy & pasting into the system, would be a convenient way to just run a trusted executable.

 

[ForgottenSeer 98186]

Today I came across the latest ATP test results on av-comparatives.org , and noticed Windows Defender inability to protect from the malware used in that test, coming from removable storage, in the specific testing circumstances.
I wonder if denying execution access to removable media via Group Policy would protect the system. Would such measure, generally, be a bullet proof solution for usb malware? Copy & pasting into the system, would be a convenient way to just run a trusted executable.

See this page. The first method on the list gives step to make a specific USB flash drive read-only. Of course you can test GPO to see if that method works for you.

How to Secure Your USB Drive And Prevent It From Spreading Virus

Your USB drive can be exploited to spread virus and malware to the computer. Here is how you can secure your USB drive and prevent it from spreading virus.

www.maketecheasier.com

You can use a utility such as Phrozen Safe USB Download Phrozen Safe USB 2.0 to manage access to an attached USB flash drive.

 

[Pixelman]

Or this.

USB Flash Drives Control

USB Flash Drives Control provides quick access to control the way in which the USB removable drives are used on your computer.

www.binisoft.org

 

[ForgottenSeer 97327]

See this page. The first method on the list gives step to make a specific USB flash drive read-only. Of course you can test GPO to see if that method works for you.

How to Secure Your USB Drive And Prevent It From Spreading Virus

Your USB drive can be exploited to spread virus and malware to the computer. Here is how you can secure your USB drive and prevent it from spreading virus.

www.maketecheasier.com

You can use a utility such as Phrozen Safe USB Download Phrozen Safe USB 2.0 to manage access to an attached USB flash drive.

Not an aswer to OP's question

 

[ForgottenSeer 97327]

Today I came across the latest ATP test results on av-comparatives.org , and noticed Windows Defender inability to protect from the malware used in that test, coming from removable storage, in the specific testing circumstances.
I wonder if denying execution access to removable media via Group Policy would protect the system. Would such measure, generally, be a bullet proof solution for usb malware? Copy & pasting into the system, would be a convenient way to just run a trusted executable.

Yes works flawless on my PC since 2019. I copied this to a Windows Home tablet with an 64GB microSD card (through registry tweak) and this prevented Windows major updates. So keep an eye on your Windows update when enabling this setting.

 

[Nikos751]

Yes works flawless on my PC since 2019. I copied this to a Windows Home tablet with an 64GB microSD card (through registry tweak) and this prevented Windows major updates. So keep an eye on your Windows update when enabling this setting.

I cannot think of a reason why such setting can impact Windows updates. Messed up windows source code maybe. Are you 100% sure for that?
Thanks for that info!

 

[ForgottenSeer 97327]

I cannot think of a reason why such setting can impact Windows updates. Messed up windows source code maybe. Are you 100% sure for that?
Thanks for that info!

I had Googled and found that this setting could be preventing the update. After removing that registry setting, the update worked. I had read that Windows Update (at that time) choose teh disk with the largest free available space a sdownload location for major updates. So it sort of made sense (since it was a tablet with only 32GB primary SSD and the 64 GB SD card had more free space).

 

[Nikos751]

I had Googled and found that this setting could be preventing the update. After removing that registry setting, the update worked. I had read that Windows Update (at that time) choose teh disk with the largest free available space a sdownload location for major updates. So it sort of made sense (since it was a tablet with only 32GB primary SSD and the 64 GB SD card had more free space).

So I understand, it can happen when system partition is small and needs to put temp windows update installation files at another disk which has blocked executable permissions from gpedit.

 

[ForgottenSeer 97327]

So I understand, it can happen when system partition is small and needs to put temp windows update installation files at another disk which has blocked executable permissions from gpedit.

Yes, but I run this regedit tweak also on my wife's laptop with no problems (upgraded from Windows11 22H1 to 22H2). I split the SSD into 2 partitions (one for Programs 64 GB and one for Data the rest of the 512 GB SSD) just to make sure the Data disk had the most free space.

Spoiler: Registry tweak on Home

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\RemovableStorageDevices]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\RemovableStorageDevices\{53f5630d-b6bf-11d0-94f2-00a0c91efb8b}]
"Deny_Execute"=dword:00000001

 

[Andy Ful]

Today I came across the latest ATP test results on av-comparatives.org , and noticed Windows Defender inability to protect from the malware used in that test, coming from removable storage, in the specific testing circumstances.
I wonder if denying execution access to removable media via Group Policy would protect the system. Would such measure, generally, be a bullet proof solution for usb malware? Copy & pasting into the system, would be a convenient way to just run a trusted executable.

Denying execution will fail In most cases. It does not block the most common attack vectors like:

• shortcut + LOLBin + DLL,
• document + macro + LOLbin + DLL.

A better method for Defender is using ASR rules for documents, scripts, and removable media.
Microsoft Defender has got the same results in the Consumer and Enterprise tests. But in both tests the Network Protection and ASR rules were disabled:

Microsoft: Google Chrome extension “Windows Defender Browser Protection” installed and enabled; “CloudExtendedTimeOut” set to 55; “PuaMode” enabled.

 

[Nikos751]

Denying execution will fail In most cases. It does not block the most common attack vectors like:

• shortcut + LOLBin + DLL,
• document + macro + LOLbin + DLL.

A better method for Defender is using ASR rules for documents, scripts, and removable media.
Microsoft Defender has got the same results in the Consumer and Enterprise tests. But in both tests the Network Protection and ASR rules were disabled:

That was eye opening! I did not know these was the most common attack vectors. Fileless attacks using LOLbins seem to evolve fast.
I just set your tool's settings to high again xD