Title

User-installed gadgets must be turned off. (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 user-installed gadgets from running.

Check Content

If Windows Sidebar has been disabled, this is NA. Verify the following registry value to determine if Windows Sidebar has 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 Windows Sidebar has 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: TurnOffUserInstalledGadgets Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Sidebar -> "Turn Off User Installed Windows Sidebar Gadgets" to "Enabled". To turn off Windows Sidebar completely, configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Sidebar -> "Turn off Windows Sidebar" to "Enabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-16665r3_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-15726

Group Title: Gadgets – User Installed Gadgets

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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