Windows Server 2019 must not have Windows PowerShell 2.0 installed.

Documentable No

Rule ID SV-205685r958478_rule

CCI References

CCI-000381

Discussion

Windows PowerShell 5.x added advanced logging features that can provide additional detail when malware has been run on a system. Disabling the Windows PowerShell 2.0 mitigates against a downgrade attack that evades the Windows PowerShell 5.x script block logging feature.

Check Procedure

Open "PowerShell".

Enter "Get-WindowsFeature | Where Name -eq PowerShell-v2".

If "Installed State" is "Installed", this is a finding.

An Installed State of "Available" or "Removed" is not a finding.

Fix Action

Uninstall the "Windows PowerShell 2.0 Engine".

Start "Server Manager".

Select the server with the feature.

Scroll down to "ROLES AND FEATURES" in the right pane.

Select "Remove Roles and Features" from the drop-down "TASKS" list.

Select the appropriate server on the "Server Selection" page and click "Next".

Deselect "Windows PowerShell 2.0 Engine" under "Windows PowerShell" on the "Features" page.

Click "Next" and "Remove" as prompted.