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File types must be configured to provide mismatch warnings.

An XCCDF Rule

Description

Excel can load files with extensions that do not match the files' type. For example, if a comma-separated values (CSV) file named example.csv is renamed example.xls, Excel can properly load it as a CSV file. Some attacks target specific file formats. If Excel is allowed to load files with extensions that do not match their file types, a malicious person can deceive users into loading dangerous files that have incorrect extensions. By default, if users attempt to open files with the wrong extension, Excel opens the file and displays a warning that the file type is not what Excel expected.

Property Value
Responsibility System Administrator

ID
SV-33440r1_rule
Version
DTOO143 - Excel
Severity
Medium
References
Updated

Remediation Templates

A Manual Procedure

Set the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Excel 2010 -> Excel Options -> Security “Force file extension to match file type” to “Enabled (Allow different, but warn)”.