Windows 11 • Release: 6 Benchmark Date: 05 Jan 2026
CAT I V-253284 WN11-00-000150
Structured Exception Handling Overwrite Protection (SEHOP) must be enabled.
Discussion
Attackers are constantly looking for vulnerabilities in systems and applications. Structured Exception Handling Overwrite Protection (SEHOP) blocks exploits that use the Structured Exception Handling overwrite technique, a common buffer overflow attack.
Check Procedure
Verify SEHOP is turned on. If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\kernel\ Value Name: DisableExceptionChainValidation Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0x00000000 (0)
Fix Action
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> MS Security Guide >> "Enable Structured Exception Handling Overwrite Protection (SEHOP)" to "Enabled". This policy setting requires the installation of the SecGuide custom templates included with the STIG package. "SecGuide.admx" and "SecGuide.adml" must be copied to the \Windows\PolicyDefinitions and \Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US directories respectively.