Microsoft Windows 11

Indexing of encrypted files must be turned off

STIG ID: WN11-CC-000305 | SRG: SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049 | Severity: Medium | CCI: CCI-000381 | Vulnerability ID: V-253409

Description

Indexing of encrypted files may expose sensitive data. This setting prevents encrypted files from being indexed.

Check

C-56862r829309_chk

If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding:Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINERegistry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search\Value Name: AllowIndexingEncryptedStoresOrItemsValue Type: REG_DWORDValue: 0

Fix

F-56812r829310_fix

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Search >> "Allow indexing of encrypted files" to "Disabled".