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 | 

Vulnerability Discussion

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_USER
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Value Name: NoPreviewPane

Value Type: REG_DWORD

Value: 1

Registry Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Value Name: NoReadingPane

Value Type: REG_DWORD

Value: 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".
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