JavaScript must be disabled by default

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-35795	DTBC-0041	SV-47082r2_rule	ECSC-1	Medium

Description
"Allows you to set a list of url patterns that specify sites which are not allowed to run JavaScript. If this policy is left not set the global default value will be used for all sites either from the 'DefaultJavaScriptSetting' policy if it is set, or the user's personal configuration otherwise." - Google Chrome Administrators Policy List Javascript is one of the most common attack vectors used to compromise a system. Therefore, a system should block javascript by default and allow by exception.

Description

"Allows you to set a list of url patterns that specify sites which are not allowed to run JavaScript. If this policy is left not set the global default value will be used for all sites either from the 'DefaultJavaScriptSetting' policy if it is set, or the user's personal configuration otherwise." - Google Chrome Administrators Policy List Javascript is one of the most common attack vectors used to compromise a system. Therefore, a system should block javascript by default and allow by exception.

STIG	Date
Google Chrome v24 Windows STIG	2013-02-21

Details

Check Text ( C-44141r4_chk )
Universal method(Requires Chrome Browser v15 or later): 1. In the omnibox(address bar) type chrome://policy 2. If the policy "PluginsBlockedForUrls" is not shown or is not set to a list of administrator approved blacklisted sites, then this is a finding. Windows: Start regedit Navigate to HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\PluginsBlockedForUrls If this key does not exist or is not set to a list of administrator approved blacklisted sites this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-44141r4_chk )

Universal method(Requires Chrome Browser v15 or later):
1. In the omnibox(address bar) type chrome://policy
2. If the policy "PluginsBlockedForUrls" is not shown or is not set to a list of administrator approved blacklisted sites, then this is a finding.

Windows:
Start regedit
Navigate to HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\PluginsBlockedForUrls
If this key does not exist or is not set to a list of administrator approved blacklisted sites this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-40343r2_fix)
Valid for Chrome Browser version 11 or later. Windows Registry: Registry Path: HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\ Value Name: JavaScriptBlockedForUrls Value Type: List of strings Value Data: a list of administrator approved blacklisted sites Windows group policy: Policy Path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Google\Google Chrome\Content Settings\ Policy Name: "Block JavaScript on these sites" Policy State: Enabled Policy Value: a list of administrator approved blacklisted sites If this setting is not feasible, the usage of a user controlled JavaScript blocker extension such as ScriptNo is recommend. This will give the users control at blocking JavaScript by default, and granting privileges to websites they need JavaScript for.

Fix Text (F-40343r2_fix)

Valid for Chrome Browser version 11 or later.

Windows Registry:
Registry Path: HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\
Value Name: JavaScriptBlockedForUrls
Value Type: List of strings
Value Data: a list of administrator approved blacklisted sites

Windows group policy:
Policy Path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Google\Google Chrome\Content Settings\
Policy Name: "Block JavaScript on these sites"
Policy State: Enabled
Policy Value: a list of administrator approved blacklisted sites

If this setting is not feasible, the usage of a user controlled JavaScript blocker extension such as ScriptNo is recommend. This will give the users control at blocking JavaScript by default, and granting privileges to websites they need JavaScript for.