The loading of images from web pages must not be allowed.

From Microsoft Excel 2013 STIG

Part of DTOO152 - Load pics from Web not in Excel

Associated with: CCI-001170

SV-53820r1_rule The loading of images from web pages must not be allowed.

Vulnerability discussion

When users open web pages in Excel, Excel loads any graphics included in the pages, regardless of whether or not they were originally created in Excel. Allowing Excel to load graphics created in other programs can make Excel vulnerable to possible future zero-day attacks using graphic files as an attack vector. If such an event occurs, this setting can be used to mitigate the vulnerability.

Check content

Verify the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Excel 2013 -> Excel Options -> Advanced -> Web Options -> General "Load pictures from Web pages not created in Excel" is set to "Disabled". Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\excel\internet Criteria: If the value "DoNotLoadPictures" is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix text

Set the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Excel 2013 -> Excel Options -> Advanced -> Web Options -> General "Load pictures from Web pages not created in Excel" to "Disabled".

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.