2.5.14.3.16 (L1) Ensure 'Configure Outlook object model prompt when sending mail' is set to 'Enabled: Automatically Deny'

Information

This policy setting controls what happens when an untrusted program attempts to send e-mail programmatically using the Outlook object model.

When the option Automatically deny is selected, Outlook will automatically deny programmatic access requests from any program.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled: Automatically Deny

If an untrusted application programmatically sends e-mail, that application could send mail that includes malicious code, impersonates a user, or launches a denial-of-service attack by sending a large volume of mail to a user or group of users.

Solution

To establish the recommended state via configuration profiles, set the following Settings Catalog path to Enabled: Automatically Deny :

Microsoft Outlook 2016\Security\Security Form Settings\Outlook Security Mode > Configure Outlook object model prompt when sending mail

Important: For this setting to apply, the

Outlook Security Mode

setting must be enabled in

Microsoft Outlook 2016\Security\Security Form Settings

with Use Outlook Security Group Policy selected, as set in this benchmark.

Impact:

An untrusted program will not be able to send e-mail programmatically using the Outlook object model.

If Group Policy security settings are used for Outlook, the

Programmatic Access

section of the Trust Center is not used. In this situation, the default is to prompt users based on computer security, which is the equivalent of the Only when antivirus software is out of date or not running option in the Trust Center, and the user experience is not affected.

See Also

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

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT, SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|CM-10, 800-53|CM-11, 800-53|SC-18

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 35e5014975b940345c1728e68c10d3c4179093fea62c7488563da0cea6477f9f