Adobe Reader DC must enable Enhanced Security in a Browser.

From Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Continuous Track Security Technical Implementation Guide

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

SV-79411r1_rule Adobe Reader DC must enable Enhanced Security in a Browser.

Vulnerability discussion

PDFs have evolved from static pages to complex documents with features such as interactive forms, multimedia content, scripting, and other capabilities. These features leave PDFs vulnerable to malicious scripts or actions that can damage the computer or steal data. The Enhanced security feature protects the computer against these threats by blocking or selectively permitting actions for trusted locations and files.Enhanced Security determines if a PDF is viewed within a browser application. A threat to users of Adobe Reader DC is opening a PDF file that contains malicious executable content.Enhanced Security “hardens” the application against risky actions: prevents cross domain access, prohibits script and data injection, blocks stream access to XObjects, silent printing, and execution of high privilege JavaScript.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\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bEnhancedSecurityInBrowser Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1 If the value for bEnhancedSecurityInBrowser 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\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bEnhancedSecurityInBrowser 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.