ActiveX Installs must be configured for proper restriction in PowerPoint Viewer.

From Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-002460

SV-85323r1_rule ActiveX Installs must be configured for proper restriction in PowerPoint Viewer.

Vulnerability discussion

Microsoft ActiveX controls allow unmanaged, unprotected code to run on the user computers. ActiveX controls do not run within a protected container in the browser like the other types of HTML or Microsoft Silverlight-based controls. Disabling or not configuring this setting does not block prompts for ActiveX control installations, and these prompts display to users. This could allow malicious code to become active on user computers or the network.

Check content

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Office 2016 (Machine) -> Security Settings -> IE Security "Restrict ActiveX Install" is set to "Enabled" and 'pptview.exe' is checked. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_RESTRICT_ACTIVEXINSTALL Criteria: If the value pptview.exe is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Office 2016 (Machine) -> Security Settings -> IE Security "Restrict ActiveX Install" to "Enabled" and place a check in the 'pptview.exe' check box.

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