Title

Database functionality configurations must be displayed to the user. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

When users open an untrusted Access 2013 database that contains user-programmed executable components, Access opens the database with the components disabled and displays the Message Bar with a warning that database content has been disabled. Users can inspect the contents of the database, but cannot use any disabled functionality until they enable it by clicking Options on the Message Bar and selecting the appropriate action. The default configuration can be changed so that users see a dialog box when they open an untrusted database with executable components. Users must then choose whether to enable or disable the components before working with the database. In these circumstances users frequently enable the components, even if they do not require them. Executable components can be used to launch an attack against a computer environment. Disabling this setting enforces Access 2013 to display the action items, so is unlikely to cause usability issues.

Check Content

Verify the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Access 2013 -> Tools \ Security "Modal Trust Decision Only" is set to "Disabled". Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\access\security Criteria: If the value ModalTrustDecisionOnly is REG_DWORD = 0, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Access 2013 -> Tools \ Security "Modal Trust Decision Only" to "Disabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-52771r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-17757

Group Title: DTOO135 - Modal Trust Decision Only

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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