Check: O365-EX-000002
Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus STIG:
O365-EX-000002
(in versions v2 r6 through v2 r4)
Title
VBA Macros not digitally signed must be blocked in Excel. (Cat II impact)
Discussion
This policy setting controls how the specified applications warn users when Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros are present. If you enable this policy setting, you can choose from four options for determining how the specified applications will warn the user about macros: - Disable all with notification: The application displays the Trust Bar for all macros, whether signed or unsigned. This option enforces the default configuration in Office. - Disable all except digitally signed macros: The application displays the Trust Bar for digitally signed macros, allowing users to enable them or leave them disabled. Any unsigned macros are disabled, and users are not notified. - Disable all without notification: The application disables all macros, whether signed or unsigned, and does not notify users. - Enable all macros (not recommended): All macros are enabled, whether signed or unsigned. This option can significantly reduce security by allowing dangerous code to run undetected.
Check Content
Verify the policy value for User Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Microsoft Excel 2016 >> Application Settings >> Security >> Trust Center >> "VBA macro Notification Settings" is set to "Enabled" and "Disable all except digitally signed macros" from the Options. Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKCU\software\policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\excel\security If the value vbawarnings is REG_DWORD = 3, this is not a finding. Values of REG_DWORD = 2 or 4 are also acceptable. If the registry key does not exist or the value is REG_DWORD =1, this is a finding.
Fix Text
Set the policy value for User Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Microsoft Excel 2016 >> Application Settings >> Security >> Trust Center >> "VBA macro Notification Settings" to "Enabled" and "Disable all except digitally signed macros" from the Options.
Additional Identifiers
Rule ID: SV-223311r811481_rule
Vulnerability ID: V-223311
Group Title: SRG-APP-000141
Expert Comments
CCIs
Number | Definition |
---|---|
CCI-000381 |
The organization configures the information system to provide only essential capabilities. |
Controls
Number | Title |
---|---|
CM-7 |
Least Functionality |