Check: O365-CO-000006
Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus STIG:
O365-CO-000006
(in versions v3 r1 through v1 r1)
Title
Macros in all Office applications that are opened programmatically by another application must be opened based upon macro security level. (Cat II impact)
Discussion
This policy setting controls whether macros can run in an Office 365 ProPlus application that is opened programmatically by another application. If this policy setting is enabled, the user can choose from three options for controlling macro behavior in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word when the application is opened programmatically: - Disable macros by default ¬- all macros are disabled in the programmatically opened application. - Macros enabled (default) - macros can run in the programmatically opened application. This option enforces the default configuration in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. - User application macro security level - macro functionality is determined by the setting in the "Macro Settings" section of the Trust Center. If this policy setting is disabled or not configured, when a separate program is used to launch Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, or Word programmatically, any macros can run in the programmatically opened application without being blocked.
Check Content
Verify the policy value for User Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Microsoft Office 2016 >> Security Settings "Automation Security" is set to "Enabled (Use application macro security level)". Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\Common\Security If the value AutomationSecurity is REG_DWORD = 2, this is not a finding.
Fix Text
Set the policy value for User Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Microsoft Office 2016 >> Security Settings "Automation Security" to "Enabled (Use application macro security level)".
Additional Identifiers
Rule ID: SV-223289r961092_rule
Vulnerability ID: V-223289
Group Title: SRG-APP-000210
Expert Comments
CCIs
Number | Definition |
---|---|
CCI-001170 |
Prevents the automatic execution of mobile code in organization-defined software applications. |
Controls
Number | Title |
---|---|
SC-18(4) |
Prevent Automatic Execution |