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JSI Tip 5130. How can I manage Internet Explorer Security Zones via the registry?





The security zone settings for Internet Explorer are located at:


HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings


                    AND


HKEY_Local_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings


The values that are located in both keys are additive. If a Web site is added to both keys, only the HKCU sites can be seen in the GUI, but both settings are enforced.

If you only want machine based settings to be enforced, copy and paste the following to a HKLM_Only.reg file and Merge it with the computers registry:

REGEDIT4

\[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\]
"Security_HKLM_only"=dword:00000001


The sub-keys of the Internet Settings key, for both HKLM and HKCU paths, are:

TemplatePolicies
ZoneMap
Zones

The Zones sub-key contains a sub-key for each zone defined. The defaults are:

Key     Meaning
  0 My Computer, NOT available in the Zone box of the Security tab.
  1 Local Intranet Zone.
  2 Trusted sites Zone.
  3 Internet Zone.
  4 Restricted Sites Zone

These sub-keys contain the following Value Names:

Value Name Data Type     Meaning
Description REG_SZ Displayed when you select a Zone in the Zone box of the GUI.
DisplayName REG_SZ Displayed when you select a Zone in the Zone box of the GUI.
Icon REG_SZ The icon that is displayed.
CurrentLevel REG_DWORD The current Security setting.
MinLevel REG_DWORD The lowest Security level allowed before a warning is issued.
RecommendedLevel     REG_DWORD The recommended Security level.
Flags REG_DWORD Controls the users ability to modify the Security settings.

The data values for the CurrentLevel, MinLevel, and RecommendedLevel Value Names are:

Data value     Meaning
0x00010000 Low Security.
0x00011000 Medium Security.
0x00012000 High Security.

The data values for the Flags value Name are additive:

Data value     Meaning
    1 Allow changes to custom settings.
    2 Allow users to add Web sites to this zone.
    4 Require HTTPS Web sites.
    8 Include Web sites that bypass the proxy server.
    16 Include Web sites not listed in other zones.
    32 Do NOT show security zone in Internet Properties.
    64 Show the Requires Server Verification dialog.
    128 UNCs are treated as Intranet connections.

NOTE: The My Computer zone does NOT contain the CurrentLevel, MinLevel, and RecommendedLevel Value Names.

The following Value Names are all REG_DWORD data types. Their data values are:

Data value     Meaning
        0 This action is allowed.
        1 This action will generate a prompt.
        3 This action is prohibited.
   Value    Setting
   Name
   1001     Download signed ActiveX controls
   1004     Download unsigned ActiveX controls
   1200     Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins
   1201     Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe
   1206     Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control
   1400     Active scripting
   1402     Scripting of Java applets
   1405     Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting
   1406     Access data sources across domains
   1407     Allow paste operations via script
   1601     Submit non-encrypted form data
   1604     Font download
   1605     Run Java
   1606     Userdata persistence
   1607     Navigate sub-frames across different domains
   1608     Allow META REFRESH *
   1609     Display mixed content *
   1800     Installation of desktop items
   1802     Drag and drop or copy and paste files
   1803     File Download
   1804     Launching programs and files in an IFRAME
   1805     Launching programs and files in webview 
   1806     Launching applications and unsafe files
   1807     Reserved **
   1808     Reserved **
   1809     Use Pop-up Blocker **
   1A00     Logon
   1A02     Allow persistent cookies that are stored on your computer
   1A03     Allow per-session cookies (not stored)
   1A04     Don't prompt for client certificate selection when no 
            certificates or only one certificate exists *
   1A05     Allow 3rd party persistent cookies *
   1A06     Allow 3rd party session cookies *
   1A10     Privacy Settings *
   1C00     Java permissions
   1E05     Software channel permissions

   1F00     Reserved **

   2000     Binary and script behaviors
   2001     Run .NET components signed with Authenticode
   2004     Run .NET components not signed with Authenticode
   2100     Open files based on content, not file extension **
   2101     Web sites in less priveleged web content zone can navigate into this zone **
   2102     Allow script initiated windows without size or position constraints **
   2200     Automatic prompting for file downloads **
   2201     Automatic prompting for ActiveX controls **
   2300     Allow web pages to use restricted protocols for active content **
   \{AEBA21FA-782A-4A90-978D-B72164C80120\}   First Party Cookie *
   \{A8A88C49-5EB2-4990-A1A2-0876022C854F\}   Third Party Cookie *

*  indicates an Internet Explorer 6 or later setting
** indicates a Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later setting
The 1A00 Value Name, a REG_DWORD data type, has the following possible data values:

Decimal Data value     Meaning
            0 Automatically logon with current username and password.
            65536 Prompt for user name and password.
            131072 Automatic logon only in the Intranet zone.
            196608 Anonymous logon.

The 1C00 Value Name, a REG_DWORD data type, has the following possible JAVA data values:

Decimal Data value     Meaning
            0 Disable Java.
            65536 High safety.
            131072 Medium safety.
            196608 Low safety.
            8388608 Custom.

The 1E05 Value Name, a REG_DWORD data type, specifies software channel permissions.

The TemplatePolicies sub-key of the Internet Settings key has the default security zones settings. The Low, Medium, and High sub-keys contains Value Names that represents the Zones default values.

The ZoneMap sub-key of the Internet Settings key has the following sub-keys:

Domains - Contains domains and protocols that have been added. Each added domain is a sub-key of Domains. Sub-domains are sub-keys of the the domain that they belong to. Each domain has a protocol Value Name (ftp, http, https, etc.) whose data value is the numerical value of the security zone (0x00012000 is High Security) to which it is added.

The ProtocolDefaults sub-key of the Internet Settings key defines the default security zone for a given protocol, by adding a Value Name (file, ftp, http, https, etc.), with NO colons (:) or slashes (/). These REG_DWORD data types the following possible data values:

Key     Meaning
  0 My Computer, NOT available in the Zone box of the Security tab.
  1 Local Intranet Zone.
  2 Trusted sites Zone.
  3 Internet Zone.
  4 Restricted Sites Zone

The Ranges sub-key of the Internet Settings key contain arbitrary sub-keys that define the ranges of the TCP/IP address. The :Ranges Value Name of these arbitrary sub-keys, a REG_SZ data type, contains the range affected (192.168.0.*). A * Value Name, a REG_DWORD data type, contains the security zone that the range falls within (0x1 is Local Intranet).



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