Adobe Reader DC must enable Protected View.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-64925	ARDC-CN-000020	SV-79415r2_rule		Medium

Description
A threat to users of Adobe Reader DC is opening a PDF file that contains malicious executable content. Protected view restricts Adobe Reader DC functionality, within a sandbox, when a PDF is opened from an untrusted source. 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 view restricts Adobe Reader DC functionality, within a sandbox, when a PDF is opened from an untrusted source. 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-65583r3_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: iProtectedView Type: REG_DWORD Value: 2 If the value for iProtectedView is not set to “2” and Type configured to REG_DWORD or does not exist, then this is a finding. GUI path: Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > In the 'Protected View' section, verify the radio button for 'All files' is checked and greyed out (locked). If the button is not checked nor greyed out, this is a finding. Admin Template path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Template > Adobe Reader DC Continuous > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > 'Protected View' must be set to 'Enabled' and 'All files' selected in the drop down box. 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-65583r3_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: iProtectedView
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 2

If the value for iProtectedView is not set to “2” and Type configured to REG_DWORD or does not exist, then this is a finding.

GUI path: Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > In the 'Protected View' section, verify the radio button for 'All files' is checked and greyed out (locked). If the button is not checked nor greyed out, this is a finding.

Admin Template path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Template > Adobe Reader DC Continuous > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > 'Protected View' must be set to 'Enabled' and 'All files' selected in the drop down box.

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-70865r3_fix)
Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: iProtectedView Type: REG_DWORD Value: 2 Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration > Administrative Template > Adobe Reader DC Continuous > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > 'Protected View' to 'Enabled' and select 'All files' in the drop down box. 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-70865r3_fix)

Configure the following registry value:

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

Value Name: iProtectedView
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 2

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration > Administrative Template > Adobe Reader DC Continuous > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > 'Protected View' to 'Enabled' and select 'All files' in the drop down box.

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.