18.8.5.4 Ensure 'Turn On Virtualization Based Security: Secure Launch Configuration' is set to 'Enabled'

Information

Secure Launch protects the Virtualization Based Security environment from exploited vulnerabilities in device firmware.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.

Note: Credential Guard and Device Guard are not currently supported when using Azure IaaS VMs.

Rationale:

Secure Launch changes the way windows boots to use Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) and Runtime BIOS Resilience features to prevent firmware exploits from being able to impact the security of the Windows Virtualization Based Security environment.

Impact:

Warning: All drivers on the system must be compatible with this feature or the system may crash. Ensure that this policy setting is only deployed to computers which are known to be compatible.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration, set the following Device Configuration Policy to Enabled:

To access the Device Configuration Policy from the Intune Home page:

Click Devices

Click Configuration profiles

Click Create profile

Select the platform (Windows 10 and later)

Select the profile (Custom)

Click Create

Enter a Name

Click Next

Configure the following Setting

Name: <Enter name>
Description: <Enter Description>
OMA-URI: ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/DeviceGuard/ConfigureSystemGuardLaunch
Data type: Integer
Value: 1

Select OK

Continue through the Wizard to complete the creation of the profile (profile assignments, applicability etc.)

Note: More than one configuration setting from each of the Configuration profiles (ex: Administrative Templates, Custom etc.) can be added to each Device Configuration Policy.

Default Value:

Not Configured. (Administrative users can choose whether to enable or disable Secure Launch.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/4291