WEBSERVICE functions must be disabled.

From Microsoft Excel 2013 STIG

Part of DTOO418 - Disable WEBSERVICE functions

Associated with: CCI-001662

SV-53841r1_rule WEBSERVICE functions must be disabled.

Vulnerability discussion

The WEBSERVICE function option, when used in an Excel spreadsheet, returns data from a web service on the Internet or Intranet. If allowed to be used, security is significantly reduced by allowing information disclosure to third party web services and could potentially introduce malicious content to the local network. The WEBSERVICE function must be disabled in Excel and configured to notify user if a WEBSERVICE function is present in an Excel spreadsheet.

Check content

Verify the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Excel 2013 -> Excel Options -> Security -> " WEBSERVICE Function Notification Settings" is set to "Enabled: Disable all with notifications". Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKCU\software\policies\Microsoft\office\15.0\excel\security Criteria: If the value webservicefunctionwarnings is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix text

Set policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Excel 2013 -> Excel Options -> Security -> " WEBSERVICE Function Notification Settings" is set to "Enabled: Disable all with notifications".

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