Title

Internet Explorer Processes Restrict ActiveX Install must be enforced (Explorer). (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Users often choose to install software such as ActiveX controls that are not permitted by their organization's security policy. Such software can pose significant security and privacy risks to networks. This policy setting enables blocking of ActiveX control installation prompts for Internet Explorer processes. If you enable this policy setting, prompts for ActiveX control installations will be blocked for Internet Explorer processes. If you disable this policy setting, prompts for ActiveX control installations will not be blocked and these prompts will be displayed to users. If you do not configure this policy setting, the user’s preference will be used to determine whether to block ActiveX control installations for Internet Explorer processes.

Check Content

The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Security Features -> Restrict ActiveX Install -> “Internet Explorer Processes” must be “Enabled”. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_RESTRICT_ACTIVEXINSTALL Criteria: If the value explorer.exe is REG_SZ = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Security Features -> Restrict ActiveX Install -> “Internet Explorer Processes” to “Enabled”.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-40748r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-22687

Group Title: DTBI1010 - Restrict ActiveX Install - Explorer

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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