Allow Fallback to SSL 3.0 (Internet Explorer) must be disabled.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-250541	DTBI1100-IE11	SV-250541r879944_rule		Medium

Description
This parameter ensures only DoD-approved ciphers and algorithms are enabled for use by the web browser by blocking an insecure fallback to SSL when TLS 1.0 or greater fails. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000514, SRG-APP-000555, SRG-APP-000625, SRG-APP-000630, SRG-APP-000635

STIG	Date
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2023-02-13

Details

Check Text ( C-53976r799947_chk )
The policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Internet Explorer >> Security Features >> "Allow fallback to SSL 3.0 (Internet Explorer)" must be "Enabled", and "No Sites" selected from the drop-down box. If "Allow fallback to SSL 3.0 (Internet Explorer)" is not "Enabled" or any other drop-down option is selected, this is a finding. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings. Criteria: If the value "EnableSSL3Fallback" is REG_DWORD=0, this is not a finding.

Check Text ( C-53976r799947_chk )

The policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Internet Explorer >> Security Features >> "Allow fallback to SSL 3.0 (Internet Explorer)" must be "Enabled", and "No Sites" selected from the drop-down box. If "Allow fallback to SSL 3.0 (Internet Explorer)" is not "Enabled" or any other drop-down option is selected, this is a finding.

Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key:

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings.

Criteria: If the value "EnableSSL3Fallback" is REG_DWORD=0, this is not a finding.

Fix Text (F-53930r799948_fix)
Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Internet Explorer >> Security Features >> "Allow fallback to SSL 3.0 (Internet Explorer)" to "Enabled", and select "No Sites" from the drop-down box.