Adobe Reader DC must enable Protected Mode.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-65737	ARDC-CL-000015	SV-80227r1_rule		Medium

Description
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

Description

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

STIG	Date
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Classic Track Security Technical Implementation Guide	2019-07-01

Details

Check Text ( C-66397r1_chk )
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 (F-71785r1_fix)
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