Title

Relying on Vector markup Language (VML) for displaying graphics in browsers must be disallowed. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

When saving documents as web pages, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word can save vector-based graphics in Vector Markup Language (VML), which enables Internet Explorer to display them smoothly at any resolution. By default, when saving VML graphics, Office applications also save copies of the graphics in a standard raster file format (GIF or PNG) for use by browsers that cannot display VML. If the "Rely on VML for displaying graphics in browsers" check box in the web Options dialog box is selected, applications will not save raster copies of VML graphics, which means those graphics will not display in non-Microsoft browsers.

Check Content

Verify the policy value for User Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Microsoft Office 2013 >> Tools >> Options >> General >> Web Options >> Browsers "Rely on VML for displaying graphics in browsers" is set to "Disabled". Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\common\internet. If the value “RelyOnVML” is REG_DWORD = 0 for every user profile hive, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Office 2013 -> Tools \ Options \ General \ Web Options -> Browsers "Rely on VML for displaying graphics in browsers" to "Disabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-52715r3_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-17773

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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