Adobe Reader DC must enable Protected Mode.

From Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Classic Track Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-001166 CCI-001169 CCI-001170 CCI-001662 CCI-001695

SV-80227r1_rule Adobe Reader DC must enable Protected Mode.

Vulnerability discussion

A threat to users of Adobe Reader DC is opening a PDF file that contains malicious executable content.Protected mode provides a sandbox capability that prevents malicious PDF files from launching arbitrary executable files, writing to system directories or the Windows registry.This isolation of the PDFs reduces the risk of security breaches in areas outside the sandbox.Satisfies: SRG-APP-000112, SRG-APP-000206, SRG-APP-000207, SRG-APP-000209, SRG-APP-000210

Check content

Verify the following registry configuration: Utilizing the Registry Editor, navigate to the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\2015\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bProtectedMode Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1 If the value for bProtectedMode is not set to “1” and Type configured to REG_DWORD or does not exist, then this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\2015\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bProtectedMode Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

Pro Tips

Lavender hyperlinks in small type off to the right (of CSS class id, if you view the page source) point to globally unique URIs for each document and item. Copy the link location and paste anywhere you need to talk unambiguously about these things.

You can obtain data about documents and items in other formats. Simply provide an HTTP header Accept: text/turtle or Accept: application/rdf+xml.