FFOX-00-000030 - The Firefox New Tab page must not show recommended stories.

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Information

The New Tab page by default shows web pages recommended by a third party (Pocket). The new tab page must not show unrelated/unnecessary content to the user.

It is detrimental for applications to provide, or install by default, functionality exceeding requirements or mission objectives. These unnecessary capabilities or services are often overlooked and therefore may remain unsecured. They increase the risk to the platform by providing additional attack vectors.

Applications are capable of providing a wide variety of functions and services. Some of the functions and services, provided by default, may not be necessary to support essential organizational operations (e.g., key missions, functions).

Examples of non-essential capabilities include but are not limited to advertising software or browser plug-ins that are not related to requirements or provide a wide array of functionality not required for every mission but that cannot be disabled.

Solution

Windows group policy:
1. Open the group policy editor tool with 'gpedit.msc'.
2. Navigate to Policy Path: Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesMozillaFirefox
Policy Name: Customize Firefox Home
Policy State: Enabled
Policy Value: Uncheck Recommended by Pocket

macOS 'plist' file:
Add the following:
<key>FirefoxHome</key>
<dict>
<key>Pocket</key>
<false/>
</dict>

Linux 'policies.json' file:
Add the following in the policies section:
'FirefoxHome': {
'Pocket': false
}

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_MOZ_Firefox_V6R1_STIG.zip

Item Details

References: CAT|II, CCI|CCI-000381, Rule-ID|SV-251574r807194_rule, STIG-ID|FFOX-00-000030, Vuln-ID|V-251574

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: b458aa4920321f209b9713ecc6e783b0bfa191b7cc50b179b4ea70ff281fec1b