DTOO189 - Encryption type for password protected Open XML files - Windows XP

Information

If unencrypted files are intercepted, sensitive information in the files can be compromised. To protect information confidentiality, 2007 Office application files can be encrypted and password protected. Only users who know the correct password will be able to decrypt such files.
On computers that run Windows Vista, the default cryptographic service provider (CSP) is Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES Cryptographic Provider, AES-128, 128-bit. On computers that run Windows XP, the default CSP is Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES Cryptographic Provider (Prototype), AES-128, 128-bit.

Solution

The policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Office 2007 system -> Security Settings 'Encryption type for password protected Office Open XML files' will be set to 'Enabled (Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES Cryptographic Provider,AES 128,128)' for NON XP OSs or 'Enabled (Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES Cryptographic Provider (Prototype),AES 128,128)' for XP OS. NOTE- 'Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES Cryptographic Provider,AES 128,128' is minimum setting required where can be up to key length of 256 if environment will support as 'Enabled (Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES Cryptographic Provider,AES 256,256)' or 'Enabled (Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES Cryptographic Provider (Prototype),AES 256,256)'

See Also

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

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|SC-13, CAT|II, Rule-ID|SV-18758r3_rule, STIG-ID|DTOO189, Vuln-ID|V-17619

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 815b26d006eccb818f2897488f6f06dd9e5304b980de49f8e8212a9288b15b69