implementing-memory-protection-with-dep-aslr

name	implementing-memory-protection-with-dep-aslr
description	Implements memory protection mechanisms including DEP (Data Execution Prevention), ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization), CFG (Control Flow Guard), and other exploit mitigations to prevent memory corruption attacks. Use when hardening endpoints against buffer overflow exploits, ROP chains, and code injection. Activates for requests involving memory protection, exploit mitigation, DEP, ASLR, or CFG configuration.
domain	cybersecurity
subdomain	endpoint-security
tags	["endpoint","memory-protection","DEP","ASLR","exploit-mitigation","CFG"]
version	1.0.0
author	mahipal
license	Apache-2.0
nist_csf	["PR.PS-01","PR.PS-02","DE.CM-01","PR.IR-01"]

Implementing Memory Protection with DEP and ASLR

When to Use

Use this skill when hardening endpoints against memory-based exploits by configuring DEP, ASLR, CFG, and Windows Exploit Protection system-wide and per-application mitigations.

Prerequisites

• Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2016+ with administrative privileges
• Group Policy management access for enterprise-wide deployment
• Understanding of memory corruption attack techniques (buffer overflow, ROP chains)
• Test environment for validating application compatibility with exploit mitigations

Workflow

Step 1: Configure System-Level Mitigations

# Enable system-wide DEP (Data Execution Prevention)
# Boot configuration: OptIn (default), OptOut (recommended), AlwaysOn
bcdedit /set nx AlwaysOn

# Verify ASLR status (enabled by default on modern Windows)
Get-ProcessMitigation -System
# MandatoryASLR, BottomUpASLR, HighEntropyASLR should be ON

# Enable all system-level mitigations
Set-ProcessMitigation -System -Enable DEP,SEHOP,ForceRelocateImages,BottomUp,HighEntropy

Step 2: Configure Per-Application Mitigations

# Harden high-risk applications (browsers, Office, PDF readers)
Set-ProcessMitigation -Name "WINWORD.EXE" -Enable DEP,SEHOP,ForceRelocateImages,CFG,StrictHandle
Set-ProcessMitigation -Name "EXCEL.EXE" -Enable DEP,SEHOP,ForceRelocateImages,CFG,StrictHandle
Set-ProcessMitigation -Name "AcroRd32.exe" -Enable DEP,SEHOP,ForceRelocateImages,CFG
Set-ProcessMitigation -Name "chrome.exe" -Enable DEP,CFG,ForceRelocateImages
Set-ProcessMitigation -Name "msedge.exe" -Enable DEP,CFG,ForceRelocateImages

# Export configuration for deployment
Get-ProcessMitigation -RegistryConfigFilePath "C:\exploit_protection.xml"
# Deploy via Intune or GPO

Step 3: Deploy via Intune/GPO

Intune: Endpoint Security → Attack Surface Reduction → Exploit Protection
  Import exploit_protection.xml template

GPO: Computer Configuration → Admin Templates → Windows Components
  → Windows Defender Exploit Guard → Exploit Protection
  → "Use a common set of exploit protection settings" → Enabled
  → Point to XML file on network share

Key Concepts

Term	Definition
DEP	Marks memory pages as non-executable to prevent shellcode execution in data regions
ASLR	Randomizes memory addresses of loaded modules to defeat hardcoded ROP gadgets
CFG	Validates indirect call targets at runtime to prevent control flow hijacking