Microsoft Windows Server 2016

The Windows Explorer Preview pane must be disabled for Windows Server 2016

STIG ID: WN16-CC-000421 | SRG: SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049 | Severity: Medium | CCI: CCI-000366 | Vulnerability ID: V-236000

Description

A known vulnerability in Windows could allow the execution of malicious code by either opening a compromised document or viewing it in the Windows Preview pane.Organizations must disable the Windows Preview pane and Windows Detail pane.

Check

If the following registry values do not exist or are not configured as specified, this is a finding:Registry Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USERRegistry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ExplorerValue Name: NoPreviewPaneValue Type: REG_DWORDValue: 1Registry Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USERRegistry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ExplorerValue Name: NoReadingPaneValue Type: REG_DWORDValue: 1

Fix

Ensure the following settings are configured for Windows Server 2016 locally or applied through group policy. Configure the policy value for User Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> File Explorer >> Explorer Frame Pane "Turn off Preview Pane" to "Enabled".Configure the policy value for User Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> File Explorer >> Explorer Frame Pane "Turn on or off details pane" to "Enabled" and "Configure details pane" to "Always hide".