Relying on Vector markup Language (VML) for displaying graphics in browsers must be disallowed.

From Microsoft Office System 2013 STIG

Part of DTOO180 - Vector Markup Lang (VML) / IE graphics

SV-52715r2_rule Relying on Vector markup Language (VML) for displaying graphics in browsers must be disallowed.

Vulnerability discussion

When saving documents as web pages, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word can save vector-based graphics in Vector Markup Language (VML), which enables Internet Explorer to display them smoothly at any resolution. By default, when saving VML graphics, Office applications also save copies of the graphics in a standard raster file format (GIF or PNG) for use by browsers that cannot display VML. If the "Rely on VML for displaying graphics in browsers" check box in the web Options dialog box is selected, applications will not save raster copies of VML graphics, which means those graphics will not display in non-Microsoft browsers.

Check content

Verify the policy value for User Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Microsoft Office 2013 >> Tools >> Options >> General >> Web Options >> Browsers "Rely on VML for displaying graphics in browsers" is set to "Disabled". .Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following hive: HKEY_Users For every users profile hive under HKEY_Users, navigate to the following key: \Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\common\internet If the value “RelyOnVML” is REG_DWORD = 0 for every user profile hive, this is not a finding.

Fix text

Set the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Office 2013 -> Tools \ Options \ General \ Web Options -> Browsers "Rely on VML for displaying graphics in browsers" 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.

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