Title

UAC - Allow UIAccess applications to prompt for elevation without using the secure desktop (Cat II impact)

Discussion

This check verifies whether User Interface Accessibility programs can automatically disable the secure desktop for elevation prompts for a standard user.

Check Content

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. Navigate to Local Policies -> Security Options. If the value for “User Account Control: Allow UIAccess applications to prompt for elevation without using the secure desktop” is not set to “Disabled”, then this is a finding. The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\ Value Name: EnableUIADesktopToggle Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> “User Account Control: Allow UIAccess applications to prompt for elevation without using the secure desktop” to “Disabled”.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-16934r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-15991

Group Title: UAC - UIAccess Secure Desktop

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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