Microsoft Excel 2016 STIG Version Comparison

There are 2 differences between versions v1 r1 (Nov. 14, 2016) (the "left" version) and v2 r1 (April 24, 2024) (the "right" version).

Check DTOO119 was changed between these two versions. Green, underlined text was added, red, struck-out text was removed.

The regular view of the left check and right check may be easier to read.

Title

Configuration for file validation must be enforced.

Check Content

Verify the policy value for User Configuration -> >> Administrative Templates -> >> Microsoft Excel 2016 -> >> Excel Options -> >> Security "Turn off file validation" is set to "Disabled". Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\16.0\excel\security\filevalidation Criteria: If the value EnableOnLoad is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Discussion

This policy setting allows you to turn off the file validation feature. If you enable this policy setting, file validation will be turned off. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, file validation will be turned on. Office Binary Documents (97-2003) are checked to see if they conform against the file format schema before they are opened.

Fix

Set the policy value for User Configuration -> >> Administrative Templates -> >> Microsoft Excel 20163 2016 -> >> Excel Options -> >> Security "Turn off file validation" to "Disabled".