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Default message format must be set to use Plain Text.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-26634 DTOO314 SV-54062r1_rule ECSC-1 Medium
Description
Outlook uses HTML as the default email format. HTML format poses a security risk by embedding information into the email itself, which could allow for release of sensitive information. If a user attempted to insert an HTML link into an email message, the link itself may direct to a malicious website. By sending in that format, the recipient would be subject to becoming infected by the malicious website.
STIG Date
Microsoft Outlook 2013 STIG 2014-01-06

Details

Check Text ( C-48002r1_chk )
Verify the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Outlook 2013 -> Outlook Options -> Mail Format -> Internet Formatting -> Message Format "Set message format" is "Enabled: Plain Text".

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

HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\outlook\options\mail

Criteria: If the value EditorPreference is REG_DWORD = 65536 (dec), this is not a finding.
Fix Text (F-46942r1_fix)
Set the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Outlook 2013 -> Outlook Options -> Mail Format -> Internet Formatting -> Message Format "Set message format" to "Enabled: Plain Text".