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Untrusted Microsoft Query files must be blocked from opening in Excel.

Overview

Finding IDVersionRule IDIA ControlsSeverity
V-223338O365-EX-000029SV-223338r961086_ruleCCI-001662medium
Description
This policy setting controls whether Microsoft Query files (.iqy, oqy, .dqy, and .rqy) in an untrusted location are prevented from opening. If you enable this policy setting, Microsoft Query files in an untrusted location are prevented from opening. Users will not be able to change this setting under File >> Options >> Trust Center >> Trust Center Settings >> External Content. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Microsoft Query files in an untrusted location are not prevented from opening, unless users have changed this setting in the Trust Center. Note: This policy setting only applies to subscription versions of Office, such as Office 365 ProPlus.
STIGDate
Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus Security Technical Implementation Guide2025-03-05

Related Frameworks

1 mapping across 4 frameworks
SCF0 mappings

No source states a mapping between these directly.

Also reachable in 3 hops (3) derived by us, not asserted by any source

Each of these is a route we composed by chaining published mappings. No publisher states a relationship between the two endpoints.

END-10Mobile Code
0.50
VPM-02Vulnerability Remediation Process
0.50
VPM-04Continuous Vulnerability Remediation Activities
0.50
NIST 800-530 mappings

No source states a mapping between these directly.

Also reachable in 2 hops (4) derived by us, not asserted by any source

Each of these is a route we composed by chaining published mappings. No publisher states a relationship between the two endpoints.

CM-7Least Functionality
1.00
SC-18(1)Identify Unacceptable Code and Take Corrective Actions
1.00
SC-18(3)Prevent Downloading and Execution
1.00
SC-18(4)Prevent Automatic Execution
1.00
CCI1 mapping
CCI-001662
1.00
NIST CSF 2.00 mappings

No source states a mapping between these directly.

Also reachable in 4 hops (2) derived by us, not asserted by any source

Each of these is a route we composed by chaining published mappings. No publisher states a relationship between the two endpoints.

ID.RA-08
0.50
PR.PS-02
0.50

Details

Check Text (C-223338r961086_chk)

Verify the policy value for User Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Microsoft Excel 2016 >> Excel Options >> Security >> Trust Center >> External Content >> Always prevent untrusted Microsoft Query files from opening is set to "Enabled". Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\16.0\excel\security\external content. Value for enableblockunsecurequeryfiles should be REG_DWORD = 1 If the value for enableblockunsecurequeryfiles is Reg_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix Text (F-24999r442234_fix)

Set policy value for User Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Microsoft Excel 2016 >> Excel Options >> Security >> Trust Center >> External Content >> Always prevent untrusted Microsoft Query files from opening to "Enabled".