Title

The Download signed ActiveX controls property must be disallowed (Internet zone). (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Active X controls can contain potentially malicious code and must only be allowed to be downloaded from trusted sites. Signed code is better than unsigned code in that it may be easier to determine its author, but it is still potentially harmful, especially when coming from an untrusted zone. This policy setting allows you to manage whether users may download signed ActiveX controls from a page in the zone. If you enable this policy, users can download signed controls without user intervention. If you select Prompt in the drop-down box, users are queried whether to download controls signed by untrusted publishers. Code signed by trusted publishers is silently downloaded. If you disable the policy setting, signed controls cannot be downloaded.

Check Content

The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Security Page -> Internet Zone -> 'Download signed ActiveX controls' must be 'Enabled', and 'Disable' selected from the drop-down box. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3 Criteria: If the value "1001" is REG_DWORD = 3, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Security Page -> Internet Zone -> 'Download signed ActiveX controls' to 'Enabled', and select 'Disable' from the drop-down box.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-223017r879629_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-223017

Group Title: SRG-APP-000209

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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