The Windows Server 2025 "Load and unload device drivers" user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group.

Severity
Group ID
Group Title
Version
Rule ID
Date
STIG Version
mediumV-278255SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125WN25-UR-000150SV-278255r1182223_rule2026-02-201

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.

ℹ️ Check

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

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.