Title

The Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe property must be disallowed (Internet zone). (Cat II impact)

Discussion

ActiveX controls that are not marked safe scripting should not be executed. Although this is not a complete security measure for a control to be marked safe for scripting, if a control is not marked safe, it should not be initialized and executed. This setting causes both unsafe and safe controls to be initialized and scripted, ignoring the Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting option. This increases the risk of malicious code being loaded and executed by the browser. If you enable this policy setting, ActiveX controls are run, loaded with parameters and scripted without setting object safety for untrusted data or scripts. If you disable this policy setting, ActiveX controls that cannot be made safe are not loaded with parameters or scripted. This setting is not recommended, except for secure and administered zones.

Check Content

The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Security Page -> Internet Zone -> "Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe" 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\3 Criteria: If the value 1201 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 -> Internet Zone -> "Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe" to “Enabled” and select "Disable" from the drop-down box.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-40561r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-6245

Group Title: DTBI024 - Initialize and script ActiveX - Internet

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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