Adobe Reader DC must enable Protected Mode.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-64923	ARDC-CN-000015	SV-79413r2_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 Continuous Track Security Technical Implementation Guide	2018-06-12

Details

Check Text ( C-65581r3_chk )
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: 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. GUI path: Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > In the 'Sandbox Protections' section, verify the box for 'Enable Protected Mode at startup' is checked and greyed out (locked). If the box is not checked nor greyed out, this is a finding. Admin Template path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Adobe Reader DC Continuous > Preferences > 'Enable Protected Mode at startup' must be set to 'Enabled'. This policy setting requires the installation of the AcrobatDCContinuous custom templates included with the STIG package. "AcrobatDCContinuous.admx" and "AcrobatDCContinuous.adml" must be copied to the \Windows\PolicyDefinitions and \Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US directories respectively.

Check Text ( C-65581r3_chk )

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: 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.

GUI path: Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > In the 'Sandbox Protections' section, verify the box for 'Enable Protected Mode at startup' is checked and greyed out (locked). If the box is not checked nor greyed out, this is a finding.

Admin Template path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Adobe Reader DC Continuous > Preferences > 'Enable Protected Mode at startup' must be set to 'Enabled'.

This policy setting requires the installation of the AcrobatDCContinuous custom templates included with the STIG package. "AcrobatDCContinuous.admx" and "AcrobatDCContinuous.adml" must be copied to the \Windows\PolicyDefinitions and \Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US directories respectively.

Fix Text (F-70863r3_fix)
Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bProtectedMode Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1 Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Adobe Reader DC Continuous > Preferences > 'Enable Protected Mode at startup' to 'Enabled'. This policy setting requires the installation of the AcrobatDCContinuous custom templates included with the STIG package. "AcrobatDCContinuous.admx" and "AcrobatDCContinuous.adml" must be copied to the \Windows\PolicyDefinitions and \Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US directories respectively.

Fix Text (F-70863r3_fix)

Configure the following registry value:

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown

Value Name: bProtectedMode
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Adobe Reader DC Continuous > Preferences > 'Enable Protected Mode at startup' to 'Enabled'.

This policy setting requires the installation of the AcrobatDCContinuous custom templates included with the STIG package. "AcrobatDCContinuous.admx" and "AcrobatDCContinuous.adml" must be copied to the \Windows\PolicyDefinitions and \Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US directories respectively.