Title

Basic authentication for RSS feeds over HTTP must not be used. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Basic authentication uses plain text passwords that could be used to compromise a system.

Check Content

The default behavior is for the Windows RSS platform to not use Basic authentication over HTTP connections. If it exists and is configured with a value of "1", this is a finding. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Feeds\ Value Name: AllowBasicAuthInClear Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0 (or if the Value Name does not exist)

Fix Text

The default behavior is for the Windows RSS platform to not use Basic authentication over HTTP connections. To correct this, configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> RSS Feeds >> "Turn on Basic feed authentication over HTTP" to "Not Configured" or "Disabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-253408r829308_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-253408

Group Title: SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049

Expert Comments

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