Title

Installation of desktop items must be disallowed (Restricted Sites zone). (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Active Desktop items could contain links to unauthorized websites or other undesirable content. It is prudent to prevent users from installing desktop items from this security zone. Installation of items must have a level of protection based upon the site being accessed. This policy setting allows you to manage whether users can install Active Desktop items from this zone.

Check Content

The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Security Page -> Restricted Sites Zone -> “Allow installation of desktop items” 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\4 Criteria: If the value 1800 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 -> Restricted Sites Zone -> “Allow installation of desktop items” to “Enabled” and select “Disable” from the drop-down box.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-40609r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-6302

Group Title: DTBI127-Installation of desktop items - Restricted

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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