DTOO143 - Excel - Force file extension to match file type created.

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Information

Excel 2007 can load files with extensions that do not match the files' type. For example, if a comma-separated values (CSV) file named example.csv is renamed example.xls, Excel can properly load it as a CSV file.
Some attacks target specific file formats. If Excel is allowed to load files with extensions that do not match their file types, a malicious person can deceive users into loading dangerous files that have incorrect extensions.
By default, if users attempt to open files with the wrong extension, Excel opens the file and displays a warning that the file type is not what Excel expected.

Solution

The policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Office Excel 2007 -> Excel Options -> Security 'Force file extension to match file type' will be set to 'Enabled (Allow different, but warn)'.

See Also

http://iase.disa.mil/stigs/app_security/office_auto/u_microsoft_office2007_v4r9_stig_20121026.zip

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-6, CAT|II, Rule-ID|SV-18762r2_rule, STIG-ID|DTOO143, Vuln-ID|V-17621

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 53a465954182aedafd8d971e98385665a6cabfae9d3e64bf52491fa4a67f230a