Launching programs and unsafe files property must be set to prompt (Internet zone).

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-22154	DTBI820	SV-40732r1_rule	ECSC-1	Medium

Description
This policy setting controls whether or not the “Open File – Security Warning” prompt is shown when launching executables or other unsafe files. If you do not configure this policy setting, users can configure the prompt behavior. By default, execution is blocked in the Restricted Zone, enabled in the Intranet and Local Computer Zone, and set to prompt in the Internet and Trusted Zones.

STIG	Date
Internet Explorer 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2015-06-30

Details

Check Text ( C-39474r1_chk )
The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Security Page -> Internet Zone -> “Launching programs and unsafe files” must be “Enabled” and “Prompt” selected from the drop-down box. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3 Criteria: If the value 1806 is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Check Text ( C-39474r1_chk )

The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Security Page -> Internet Zone -> “Launching programs and unsafe files” must be “Enabled” and “Prompt” selected from the drop-down box.

Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3

Criteria: If the value 1806 is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix Text (F-34592r1_fix)
Set the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Security Page -> Internet Zone -> “Launching programs and unsafe files” to “Enabled” and select “Prompt” from the drop-down box.