Title

All automatic loading from trusted locations must be disabled. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Trusted locations specified in the Trust Center are used to define file locations assumed to be safe. Content, code, and add-ins are allowed to load from trusted locations with a minimal amount of security, without prompting the users for permission. If a dangerous file is opened from a trusted location, it will not be subject to standard security measures and could harm users' computers or data. By default, files located in trusted locations (those specified in the Trust Center) are assumed to be safe.

Check Content

Verify the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Excel 2013 -> Excel Options -> Security -> Trust Center -> Trusted Locations "Disable all trusted locations" is set to Enabled". Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\excel\security\trusted locations Criteria: If the value AllLocationsDisabled is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Excel 2013 -> Excel Options -> Security -> Trust Center -> Trusted Locations "Disable all trusted locations" to "Enabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-53723r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-17471

Group Title: DTOO133-Disable all trusted locations

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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