Title

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

Discussion

ActiveX 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.

Check Content

The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Security Page -> Restricted Sites 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\4 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 -> Restricted Sites Zone -> 'Download signed ActiveX controls' to 'Enabled', and select 'Disable' from the drop-down box.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-223051r879629_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-223051

Group Title: SRG-APP-000209

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.