Title

Launching programs and unsafe files property must be set to prompt (Restricted Site zone). (Cat II impact)

Discussion

This policy setting controls whether or not the “Open File – Security Warning” prompt is shown when launching executables or other unsafe files. If you do not configure this policy setting, users can configure the prompt behavior. By default, execution is blocked in the Restricted Zone, enabled in the Intranet and Local Computer Zones, and set to prompt in the Internet and Trusted Zones.

Check Content

The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Security Page -> Restricted Sites Zone -> “Launching programs and unsafe files” 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 1806 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 -> “Launching programs and unsafe files” to “Enabled” and select “Disable” from the drop-down box.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-40738r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-22159

Group Title: DTBI870 - Programs and unsafe files - Restricted

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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