2.3.27.16 (L1) Ensure 'Macro Runtime Scan Scope' is set to 'Enabled: Enable for all documents'

Information

This policy setting specifies the behavior for both the VBA and Excel 4.0 (XLM) runtime scan features. Multiple Office apps support VBA macros, but XLM macros are only supported by Excel.

The VBA and XLM runtimes report certain high-risk code behaviors to an antivirus system before the macro executes them. This enables the antivirus system to assess whether the macro's behavior is malicious or not. If the behavior is identified as malicious, the Office application terminates the session, and the antivirus system can quarantine the file. If the behavior is deemed non-malicious, the macro execution continues.

NOTE: Macros can only be scanned if the anti-virus software registers as an Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) provider on the device.

NOTE#2: This policy setting only applies to subscription versions of Office, such as Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled: Enable for all documents

Macros may contain harmful functions designed to inject malicious software into a system, escalate privilege, and be a first entry point in the attack chain. By utilizing the AMSI interface on supporting anti-virus applications, defenders will increase the possibility that malicious software is identified and thwarted before it executes.

Solution

To establish the recommended state via configuration profiles, set the following Settings Catalog path to Enabled: Enable for all documents :

Microsoft Office 2016\Security Settings\Macro Runtime Scan Scope

Impact:

When macro runtime scanning is enabled, the runtime performance of affected VBA projects and XLM sheets may be reduced.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/15808

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INTEGRITY

References: 800-53|SI-3

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: dac53dc4f6316c9f4fa054c60d7dc4f5b07b54d09d38fc8e486a2ba298459ec6