Force encrypted macros to be scanned in open XML documents must be determined and configured.

From Microsoft Word 2013 STIG

Part of DTOO142 - Force Scan Encr. Macros in open XML

SV-53575r1_rule Force encrypted macros to be scanned in open XML documents must be determined and configured.

Vulnerability discussion

When an Office Open XML document (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is rights-managed, or password-protected, any macros embedded in the document are encrypted along with the rest of the contents. By default, these encrypted macros will be disabled unless they are scanned by antivirus software immediately before being loaded. If this default configuration is modified, Office products will not require encrypted macros to be scanned before loading. They will be handled as specified by the Office System macro security settings, which can cause macro viruses to load undetected and lead to data loss or reduced application functionality.

Check content

Verify the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Word 2013 -> Word Options -> Security -> Trust Center "Scan encrypted macros in Word Open XML documents" is set to "Enabled (Scan encrypted macros (default))". Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\word\security Criteria: If the value WordBypassEncryptedMacroScan is REG_DWORD = 0, this is not a finding.

Fix text

Set the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Word 2013 -> Word Options -> Security -> Trust Center "Scan encrypted macros in Word Open XML documents" to "Enabled (Scan encrypted macros (default))".

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