Title

Third-party browser extensions must be disallowed. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

This policy setting allows you to manage whether Internet Explorer will launch COM add-ons, known as browser helper objects such as toolbars. Browser helper objects may contain flaws such as buffer overruns which impact Internet Explorer's performance or stability. If you enable this policy setting, Internet Explorer automatically launches any browser helper objects that are installed on the user's computer. If you disable this policy setting, browser helper objects do not launch. If you do not configure this policy, Internet Explorer automatically launches any browser helper objects that are installed on the user's computer.

Check Content

The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Advanced Page -> "Allow third-party browser extensions" must be “Disabled”. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main Criteria: If the value Enable Browser Extensions is REG_SZ = no, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Advanced Page -> "Allow third-party browser extensions" to “Disabled”.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-40628r2_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-15500

Group Title: DTBI355 - Third-party browser extensions

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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