Title

Disable settings for content and add-ins that "Allow trusted locations not on computer" that might bypass more stringent security checks. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

By default, files located in trusted locations and specified in the Trust Center are assumed to be safe. Content, code, and add-ins are allowed to load from trusted locations with minimal security and without prompting the user for permission. By default, users can specify trusted locations on network shares or in other remote locations that are not under their direct control by selecting the Allow Trusted Locations on my network (not recommended) check box in the Trusted Locations section of the Trust Center. If a dangerous file is opened from a trusted location, it will not be subject to typical security measures and could affect users' computers or data.

Check Content

The policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Office Word 2007 -> Word Options -> Security -> Trust Center -> Trusted Locations “Allow Trusted Locations not on the computer” will be set to “Disabled”. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Security\Trusted Locations Criteria: If the value AllowNetworkLocations is REG_DWORD = 0, this is not a finding

Fix Text

The policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Office Word 2007 -> Word Options -> Security -> Trust Center -> Trusted Locations “Allow Trusted Locations not on the computer” will be set to “Disabled”.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-18600r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-17520

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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