Title

The ability to run programs from a PowerPoint presentation must be disallowed. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Action buttons can be used to launch external programs from PowerPoint presentations. If a malicious person adds an action button to a presentation that launches a dangerous program, it could significantly affect the security of a user's computer and data.

Check Content

Verify the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 -> PowerPoint Options -> Security "Run Programs" must be "Enabled (disable - (don't run any programs))". Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\PowerPoint\security Criteria: If the value RunPrograms is REG_DWORD = 0, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 -> PowerPoint Options -> Security "Run Programs" to "Enabled (disable - (don't run any programs))".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-53519r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-17788

Group Title: DTOO289 - Running programs in PowerPoint

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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