2.2.4.7.2.2.6 Ensure 'Excel 3 worksheets' is set to 'Enabled: Open/Save blocked, use open policy'

Information

This policy setting determines whether users can open, view, edit, or save Excel files with Excel 3 worksheets file format.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type will be blocked. The file will open based on the policy setting configured in the 'default file block behavior' key.

Note: Use Open Policy action is defined by the Set default file block behavior group policy setting which is included in this benchmark.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled: Open/Save blocked, use open policy.

Rationale:

Using legacy file formats could allow malicious code to become active on a user's computer or the network.

Impact:

Users will not be able to open, save, or view Excel 3 worksheets.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Enabled: Open/Save blocked, use open policy.

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Excel 2016\Excel Options\Security\Trust Center\File Block Settings\Excel 3 Worksheets

Default Value:

Disabled. (The file type will be blocked.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/12129

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INTEGRITY

References: 800-53|SI-3c.2.

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 8ad909622fc1002e4b8c52ddfc7ea4852434ded7f87c60e368d9eeaaa4a13b18