V-213130

Discussion

Acrobat Pro allows users to change the version of Acrobat Pro that is used to read PDF files. This is a risk if multiple versions of Acrobat are installed on the system and the other version has dissimilar security configurations or known vulnerabilities. When the Default PDF Handler is disabled, the end users will not be able to change the default PDF viewer.

Check Content

Verify the following registry configuration:

Using the Registry Editor, navigate to the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\FeatureLockDown

Value Name: bDisablePDFHandlerSwitching
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

If the value for bDisablePDFHandlerSwitching is not set to “1” and Type is not configured to REG_DWORD or does not exist, this is a finding.

GUI path: Edit > Preferences > General > Verify the 'Select As Default PDF Handler' option is greyed out (locked).  If the option is not greyed out, this is a finding.

Admin Template path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Template > Adobe Acrobat Pro DC Continuous > Preferences > General > 'Disable PDF handler switching' must be set to 'Enabled'.