Title

Basic authentication for RSS feeds over HTTP must not be used. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Basic authentication uses plain-text passwords that could be used to compromise a system. Disabling Basic authentication will reduce this potential.

Check Content

The default behavior is for the Windows RSS platform to not use Basic authentication over HTTP connections. If the registry value name below does not exist, this is not a finding. If it exists and is configured with a value of "0", this is not a finding. If it exists and is configured with a value of "1", this is a finding. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Feeds\ Value Name: AllowBasicAuthInClear Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0x00000000 (0) (or if the Value Name does not exist)

Fix Text

The default behavior is for the Windows RSS platform to not use Basic authentication over HTTP connections. If this needs to be corrected, configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> RSS Feeds >> "Turn on Basic feed authentication over HTTP" to "Not Configured" or "Disabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-224951r569186_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-224951

Group Title: SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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