Discussion

PDFs have evolved from static pages to complex documents with features such as interactive forms, multimedia content, scripting, and other capabilities. These features leave PDFs vulnerable to malicious scripts or actions that can damage the computer or steal data. The Enhanced security feature protects the computer against these threats by blocking or selectively permitting actions for trusted locations and files. Enhanced Security determines if a PDF is viewed within a standalone application. A threat to users of Adobe Reader DC is opening a PDF file that contains malicious executable content. Enhanced Security “hardens” the application against risky actions: prevents cross domain access, prohibits script and data injection, blocks stream access to XObjects, silent printing, and execution of high privilege JavaScript. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000112, SRG-APP-000206, SRG-APP-000207, SRG-APP-000209, SRG-APP-000210

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bEnhancedSecurityStandalone Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

PDFs have evolved from static pages to complex documents with features such as interactive forms, multimedia content, scripting, and other capabilities. These features leave PDFs vulnerable to malicious scripts or actions that can damage the computer or steal data. The Enhanced security feature protects the computer against these threats by blocking or selectively permitting actions for trusted locations and files. Enhanced Security determines if a PDF is viewed within a browser application. A threat to users of Adobe Reader DC is opening a PDF file that contains malicious executable content. Enhanced Security “hardens” the application against risky actions: prevents cross domain access, prohibits script and data injection, blocks stream access to XObjects, silent printing, and execution of high privilege JavaScript. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000112, SRG-APP-000206, SRG-APP-000207, SRG-APP-000209, SRG-APP-000210

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bEnhancedSecurityInBrowser Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

A threat to users of Adobe Reader DC is opening a PDF file that contains malicious executable content. Protected mode provides a sandbox capability that prevents malicious PDF files from launching arbitrary executable files, writing to system directories or the Windows registry. This isolation of the PDFs reduces the risk of security breaches in areas outside the sandbox. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000112, SRG-APP-000206, SRG-APP-000207, SRG-APP-000209, SRG-APP-000210

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Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bProtectedMode Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

A threat to users of Adobe Reader DC is opening a PDF file that contains malicious executable content. Protected view restricts Adobe Reader DC functionality, within a sandbox, when a PDF is opened from an untrusted source. This isolation of the PDFs reduces the risk of security breaches in areas outside the sandbox. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000112, SRG-APP-000206, SRG-APP-000207, SRG-APP-000209, SRG-APP-000210

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Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: iProtectedView Type: REG_DWORD Value: 2

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Discussion

Because Internet access is a potential security risk, clicking any link to the Internet poses a potential security risk. Malicious websites can transfer harmful content or silently gather data. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000112, SRG-APP-000206, SRG-APP-000207, SRG-APP-000209, SRG-APP-000210

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cDefaultLaunchURLPerms Value Name: iURLPerms Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

Because Internet access is a potential security risk, clicking any unknown website link to the Internet poses a potential security risk. Malicious websites can transfer harmful content or silently gather data. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000112, SRG-APP-000206, SRG-APP-000207, SRG-APP-000209, SRG-APP-000210

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Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cDefaultLaunchURLPerms Value Name: iUnknownURLPerms Type: REG_DWORD Value: 3

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Discussion

Attachments represent a potential security risk because they can contain malicious content, open other dangerous files, or launch applications. Certainly file types such as .bin, .exe, .bat, and so on will be recognized as threats. This feature prevents users from opening or launching file types other than PDF or FDF and disables the menu option. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000112, SRG-APP-000206, SRG-APP-000207, SRG-APP-000209, SRG-APP-000210

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: iFileAttachmentPerms Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

Flash content is commonly hosted on a web page, but it can also be embedded in PDF and other documents. Flash could be used to surreptitious install malware on the end-users computer. Flash Content restricts Adobe Reader DC not to play Flash content within a PDF. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000112, SRG-APP-000206, SRG-APP-000207, SRG-APP-000209, SRG-APP-000210

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Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bEnableFlash Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0

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Discussion

Allowing user to make changes to an application case cause a security risk. When the Default PDF Handler is disabled, the end users will not be able to change the default PDF viewer.

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Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bDisablePDFHandlerSwitching Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

When enabled, Adobe Send and Track button appears in Outlook. When an email is composed it enables the ability to send large files as public links through Outlook. The attached files can be uploaded to the Adobe Document Cloud and public links to the files are inserted in the email body.

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Note: The Key Name "cCloud" is not created by default in the Adobe Reader DC install and must be created. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cCloud Value Name: bAdobeSendPluginToggle Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0

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Discussion

By default, Adobe online services are tightly integrated in Adobe Reader DC. With the integration of Adobe Document Cloud, disabling this feature prevents the risk of additional attack vectors. Within Adobe Reader DC, the Adobe Cloud resources require a paid subscription for each service.

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Note: The Key Name "cServices" is not created by default in the Adobe Reader DC install and must be created. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cServices Value Name: bToggleAdobeDocumentServices Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

By default, Adobe online services are tightly integrated in Adobe Reader DC. When the Adobe Cloud synchronization is disabled it prevents the synchronization of desktop preferences across devices on which the user is signed in with an Adobe ID (including phones).

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Note: The Key Name "cServices" is not created by default in the Adobe Reader DC install and must be created. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cServices Value Name: bTogglePrefsSync Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

When Repair Installation is disabled the user does not have the option (Help Menu) or functional to repair an Adobe Reader DC install.

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"Configure the following registry value: For 32 bit: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\Installer For 64 bit: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\Installer Value Name: DisableMaintenance Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

When 3rd Party Web Connectors are disabled it prevents the configuration of Adobe Reader DC access to third party services for file storage.

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Note: The Key Name "cServices" is not created by default in the Adobe Reader DC install and must be created. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cServices Value Name: bToggleWebConnectors Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

The Adobe Document Cloud sign service allows users to send documents online for signature and sign from anywhere or any device. The signed documents are stored in the Adobe Cloud. The Adobe Document Cloud sign service is a paid subscription. When Adobe Send for Signature is disabled users will not be allowed to utilize the Adobe Document Cloud sign function.

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Note: The Key Name "cServices" is not created by default in the Adobe Reader DC install and must be created. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cServices Value Name: bToggleAdobeSign Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

When Webmail is disabled the user cannot configure a webmail account to send an open PDF document as an attachment. Users should have the ability to send documents as Microsoft Outlook attachments. The difference is that Outlook must be configured by the administrator on the local machine.

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Configure the following registry value: Note: The Key Name "cWebmailProfiles" is not created by default in the Adobe Reader DC install and must be created. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cWebmailProfiles Value Name: bDisableWebmail Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

Disabling SharePoint disables or removes the user’s ability to add a SharePoint account access controls the application's ability to detect that a file came from a SharePoint server, and disables the check-out prompt.

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Note: The Key Name "cSharePoint" is not created by default in the Adobe Reader DC install and must be created. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cSharePoint Value Name: bDisableSharePointFeatures Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

The Adobe Reader DC Welcome screen can be distracting and also has online links to the Adobe quick tips website, tutorials, blogs and community forums. When the Adobe Reader DC Welcome screen is disabled the Welcome screen will not be populated on application startup.

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Note: The Key Name "cWelcomeScreen" is not created by default in the Adobe Reader DC install and must be created. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cWelcomeScreen Value Name: bShowWelcomeScreen Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0

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Discussion

By default, Adobe online services are tightly integrated into Adobe Reader DC. Disabling Service Upgrades disables both updates to the product's web-plugin components as well as all services without exception, including any online sign-in screen.

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Note: The Key Name "cServices" is not created by default in the Adobe Reader DC install and must be created. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown\cServices Value Name: bUpdater Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0

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Discussion

Privileged Locations allow the user to selectively trust files, folders, and hosts to bypass some security restrictions, such as enhanced security and protected view. By default, the user can create privileged locations through the GUI. Disabling Host-Based Privileged Locations disables and locks the end user's ability to add hosts as a privileged location prevents them from assigning trust and thereby exempting that location from enhanced security restrictions.

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Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bDisableOSTrustedSites Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

Privileged Locations allow the user to selectively trust files, folders, and hosts to bypass some security restrictions, such as enhanced security and protected view. By default, the user can create privileged locations through the GUI. Disabling Trusted Files and Folders disables and locks the end user's ability to add folders and files as a privileged location prevents them from assigning trust and thereby exempting that location from enhanced security restrictions.

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bDisableTrustedFolders Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

Privileged Locations allow the user to selectively trust files, folders, and hosts to bypass some security restrictions, such as enhanced security and protected view. By default, the user can create privileged locations through the GUI. Disabling IE Trusts to Privileged Locations disables and locks the end user's ability to treat IE trusted sites as a privileged location prevents them from assigning trust and thereby exempting that location from enhanced security restrictions.

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bDisableTrustedSites Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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Discussion

Privileged Locations allow the user to selectively trust files, folders, and hosts to bypass some security restrictions, such as enhanced security and protected view. By default, the user can create privileged locations through the GUI. Disabling certified documents disables and locks the end user's ability to elevate certified documents as a privileged location.

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bEnableCertificateBasedTrust Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0

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Discussion

Products that don't provide the full set of features by default provide the user the opportunity to upgrade. Acrobat Upsell displays message which encourage the user to upgrade the product. For example, Reader users can purchase additional tools and features, and Acrobat Reader users can upgrade to Acrobat Professional.

Fix Text

Configure the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown Value Name: bAcroSuppressUpsell Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

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