Adobe Reader DC must Block Websites.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-213172	ARDC-CN-000025	SV-213172r395811_rule		Medium

Description
Clicking any link to the Internet poses a potential security risk. Malicious websites can transfer harmful content or silently gather data. Acrobat Reader documents can connect to websites which can pose a potential threat to DoD systems and that functionality must be blocked. However, PDF document workflows that are trusted (e.g., DoD-created) can benefit from leveraging legitimate website access with minimal risk. Therefore, the ISSO may approve of website access and accept the risk if the access provides benefit and is a trusted site or the risk associated with accessing the site has been mitigated. Adobe Reader must block access to all websites that are not specifically allowed by ISSO risk acceptance. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000112, SRG-APP-000206, SRG-APP-000207, SRG-APP-000209, SRG-APP-000210

Description

Clicking any link to the Internet poses a potential security risk. Malicious websites can transfer harmful content or silently gather data. Acrobat Reader documents can connect to websites which can pose a potential threat to DoD systems and that functionality must be blocked. However, PDF document workflows that are trusted (e.g., DoD-created) can benefit from leveraging legitimate website access with minimal risk. Therefore, the ISSO may approve of website access and accept the risk if the access provides benefit and is a trusted site or the risk associated with accessing the site has been mitigated. Adobe Reader must block access to all websites that are not specifically allowed by ISSO risk acceptance. 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	2021-06-22

Details

Check Text ( C-14407r276734_chk )
Verify the following registry configuration: Utilizing the Registry Editor, navigate to the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cDefaultLaunchURLPerms Value Name: iURLPerms Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1 Value: 0 - only with a documented ISSO risk acceptance If the value for “iURLPerms” is set to “0” and a documented ISSO risk acceptance approving access to websites is provided, this is not a finding. If the value for “iURLPerms” is not set to “1” and “Type” configured to “REG_DWORD” or does not exist, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-14407r276734_chk )

Verify the following registry configuration:

Utilizing the Registry Editor, navigate to the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cDefaultLaunchURLPerms

Value Name: iURLPerms
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

Value: 0 - only with a documented ISSO risk acceptance

If the value for “iURLPerms” is set to “0” and a documented ISSO risk acceptance approving access to websites is provided, this is not a finding.

If the value for “iURLPerms” is not set to “1” and “Type” configured to “REG_DWORD” or does not exist, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-14405r276735_fix)
Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cDefaultLaunchURLPerms Value Name: iURLPerms Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1 If configuring system to allow access to websites, obtain documented ISSO approvals and risk acceptance and set “iURLPerms” to “0”.