Title

The automatically update links feature must be disabled. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

When users open documents Word automatically updates any links to external content, such as graphics, Excel worksheets, and PowerPoint slides. To disable automatic updating, the user can click the Office Button, click Word Options, click Advanced, scroll to the General section, and then clear the Update automatic links at open check box. If Word is configured to automatically update links when documents are open, document content can change without the user's knowledge, which could put important information at risk.

Check Content

Verify the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Word 2013 -> Word Options -> Advanced "Update automatic links at Open" is set to "Disabled". Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\word\options Criteria: If the value DontUpdateLinks is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Word 2013 -> Word Options -> Advanced "Update automatic links at Open" to "Disabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-53584r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-17811

Group Title: DTOO302 - Don't update Links at Open

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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