Title

The More Gadgets link must be disabled. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Uncontrolled installation of applications can introduce various issues, including system instability, and allow access to sensitive information. Installation of applications must be controlled by the enterprise. This setting prevents access to gadgets through the More Gadgets link.

Check Content

If Desktop Gadgets have been disabled, this is NA. Verify the following registry value to determine if Desktop Gadgets have been disabled: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Windows\Sidebar\ Value Name: TurnOffSidebar Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1 If Desktop Gadgets have not been disabled and the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Windows\Sidebar\ Value Name: OverrideMoreGadgetsLink Type: REG_SZ Value: about:blank

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Desktop Gadgets -> "Override the More Gadgets Link" to "Enabled" with "about:blank" entered in the "Override Gadget Location". To turn off Desktop Gadgets completely, configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Desktop Gadgets -> "Turn off desktop gadgets" to "Enabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-25268r2_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-15725

Group Title: Gadgets – More Gadgets Link

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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