The Download unsigned ActiveX controls property must be disallowed (Restricted Sites zone).

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-223054	DTBI113-IE11	SV-223054r428714_rule		Medium

Description
Unsigned code is potentially harmful, especially when coming from an untrusted zone. ActiveX controls can contain potentially malicious code and must only be allowed to be downloaded from trusted sites. They must also be digitally signed.

STIG	Date
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2022-09-12

Details

Check Text ( C-24727r428712_chk )
The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Security Page -> Restricted Sites Zone -> 'Download unsigned ActiveX controls' must be 'Enabled', and 'Disable' 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\4 Criteria: If the value "1004" is REG_DWORD = 3, this is not a finding.

Check Text ( C-24727r428712_chk )

The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Security Page -> Restricted Sites Zone -> 'Download unsigned ActiveX controls' must be 'Enabled', and 'Disable' 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\4 Criteria: If the value "1004" is REG_DWORD = 3, this is not a finding.

Fix Text (F-24715r428713_fix)
Set the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Security Page -> Restricted Sites Zone -> 'Download unsigned ActiveX controls' to 'Enabled', and select 'Disable' from the drop-down box.