Title

Macro storage must be in Personal macro workbooks. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

The Record Macro dialog box includes a drop-down menu allowing users to choose whether to store the new macro in the current workbook, a new workbook, or their personal macro workbook (Personal.xlsb), a hidden workbook that opens every time Excel starts. By default, Excel displays the Record Macro dialog box with “This Workbook already selected” in the drop-down menu. If a user saves a macro in the active workbook and then distributes the workbook to others, the macro is distributed along with the workbook, which could put workbook data at risk if the macro is triggered accidentally or intentionally.

Check Content

The policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Excel 2010 -> Excel Options -> Security -> Trust Center “Store macro in Personal Macro Workbook by default” must be set to “Enabled”. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\14.0\excel\options\binaryoptions Criteria: If the value fGlobalSheet_37_1 is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Excel 2010 -> Excel Options -> Security -> Trust Center “Store macro in Personal Macro Workbook by default” to “Enabled”.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-33443r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-17804

Group Title: DTOO145 - Store macro in workbook

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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