Internet Explorer Processes for Restrict File Download must be enforced (Explorer).

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-223114	DTBI635-IE11	SV-223114r879587_rule		Medium

Description
In certain circumstances, websites can initiate file download prompts without interaction from users. This technique can allow websites to put unauthorized files on users' hard drives if they click the wrong button and accept the download. If you configure the Restrict File Download\Internet Explorer Processes policy setting to "Enabled", file download prompts that are not user-initiated are blocked for Internet Explorer processes. If you configure this policy setting as "Disabled", prompting will occur for file downloads that are not user-initiated for Internet Explorer processes. Note: This setting is configured as "Enabled" in all environments specified in this guide to help prevent attackers from placing arbitrary code on users' computers.

Description

In certain circumstances, websites can initiate file download prompts without interaction from users. This technique can allow websites to put unauthorized files on users' hard drives if they click the wrong button and accept the download. If you configure the Restrict File Download\Internet Explorer Processes policy setting to "Enabled", file download prompts that are not user-initiated are blocked for Internet Explorer processes. If you configure this policy setting as "Disabled", prompting will occur for file downloads that are not user-initiated for Internet Explorer processes. Note: This setting is configured as "Enabled" in all environments specified in this guide to help prevent attackers from placing arbitrary code on users' computers.

STIG	Date
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2023-12-01

Details

Check Text ( C-24787r428892_chk )
The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Security Features -> Restrict File Download -> 'Internet Explorer Processes' must be 'Enabled'. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_RESTRICT_FILEDOWNLOAD Criteria: If the value "explorer.exe" is REG_SZ = 1, this is not a finding.

Check Text ( C-24787r428892_chk )

The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Security Features -> Restrict File Download -> 'Internet Explorer Processes' must be 'Enabled'. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_RESTRICT_FILEDOWNLOAD Criteria: If the value "explorer.exe" is REG_SZ = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix Text (F-24775r428893_fix)
Set the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Security Features -> Restrict File Download -> 'Internet Explorer Processes' to 'Enabled'.