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V-238144

CAT II (Medium)

The automatically update links feature must be disabled.

Rule ID

SV-238144r961092_rule

STIG

Microsoft Word 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V2R1

CCIs

CCI-001170

Discussion

When users open documents Word automatically updates any links to external content, such as graphics, Excel worksheets, and PowerPoint slides. To disable automatic updating, the user can click the Office Button, click Word Options, click Advanced, scroll to the General section, and then clear the Update automatic links at open check box. If Word is configured to automatically update links when documents are open, document content can change without the user's knowledge, which could put important information at risk.

Check Content

Verify the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Word 2016 -> Word Options -> Advanced "Update automatic links at Open" is set to "Disabled".

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

HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\16.0\word\options

Criteria: If the value DontUpdateLinks is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Word 2016 -> Word Options -> Advanced "Update automatic links at Open" to "Disabled".