Deploy and Maintain Email Server Anti>Malware Protections
Description
Deploy and maintain email server anti-malware protections, such as attachment scanning and/or sandboxing.
Implementation Checklist
Tool Recommendations
Cloud-native secure web gateway with inline inspection, URL filtering, sandboxing, and DLP for web traffic
Zscaler · Per-user subscription
Next-generation firewall platform with application-aware policies, threat prevention, URL filtering, and SD-WAN
Palo Alto Networks · Appliance + subscription
Cloud-native DLP and CASB platform providing inline data protection for SaaS, IaaS, web, and endpoint
Netskope · Per-user subscription
Threats & Vulnerabilities (CIS RAM)
Threat Scenarios
Zero-Day Malware Delivery via Email Attachments
IntegrityNovel malware that has not yet been signatured by antivirus vendors arrives as email attachments, and without server-side sandboxing and behavioral analysis the malicious attachments reach user inboxes and execute upon opening.
Evasive Malware Bypassing Signature-Based Email Scanning
ConfidentialityPolymorphic or metamorphic malware attached to emails evades signature-based detection on the email server, requiring behavioral analysis and sandboxing capabilities that are not deployed, allowing the payload to reach endpoints.
Weaponized Document Exploitation via Email
ConfidentialityCarefully crafted documents exploiting application vulnerabilities (such as Follina, CVE-2023-21716, or embedded OLE objects) pass through email servers without anti-malware inspection that would detect the exploit behavior in a sandbox environment.
Vulnerabilities (When Safeguard Absent)
No Email Server Anti-Malware or Sandboxing Solution
The email server lacks dedicated anti-malware protection with sandboxing capabilities, relying solely on endpoint antivirus to catch malicious attachments after they have already been delivered to user mailboxes.
Email Anti-Malware Limited to Signature-Based Detection
Email server protection uses only signature-based scanning without behavioral analysis or detonation sandboxing, missing zero-day threats, polymorphic malware, and sophisticated document-based exploits that require dynamic analysis.
Evidence Requirements
| Type | Evidence Item | Collection Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | Configuration screenshots or exports showing protection controls enabled | Captured quarterly |
| Document | Procedure documentation for protection measures | Reviewed annually |
| Technical | Vulnerability scan reports showing scope and findings | Per scan cycle |
| Record | Vulnerability remediation tracking with SLA compliance metrics | Monthly |
| Technical | Email security configuration (SPF, DKIM, DMARC records) | Verified quarterly |
| Technical | Anti-malware deployment status and detection statistics | Monthly |
| Document | Governing policy document (current, approved, communicated) | Reviewed annually |