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Search Search CSRC MENU Search Search Projects Publications Expand or Collapse Drafts for Public Comment All Public Drafts Final Pubs FIPS (standards) Special Publications (SP s ) IR (interagency/internal reports) CSWP (cybersecurity white papers) ITL Bulletins Project Descriptions Journal Articles Conference Papers Books Topics Expand or Collapse Security & Privacy Applications Technologies Sectors Laws & Regulations Activities & Products News & Updates Events Glossary About CSRC Expand or Collapse Computer Security Division Cryptographic Technology Software Security Group Hardware Security Group Security Engineering and Risk Management Applied Cybersecurity Division Cybersecurity and Privacy Applications National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Contact Us Information Technology Laboratory Computer Security Resource Center Publications NIST SP 800-28 Version 2 Guidelines on Active Content and Mobile Code Share to Facebook Share to X Share to LinkedIn Share ia Email Documentation Topics Date Published: March 2008 Supersedes: SP 800-28 (10/17/2001) Author(s) Wayne Jansen (NIST) , Theodore Winograd (BAH) , Karen Scarfone (NIST) Abstract Active content technologies allow code, in the form of a script, macro, or other kind of portable instruction representation, to execute when the document is rendered. Like any technology, active content can be used to deliver essential services, but it can also become a source of vulnerability for exploitation by an attacker. The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of active content and mobile code technologies in use today and offer insights for making informed IT security decisions on their application and treatment. The discussion gives details about the threats, technology risks, and safeguards for end user systems, such as desktops and laptops. Although various end user applications, such as email clients, can involve active content, Web browsers remain the primary vehicle for delivery and are underscored in the discussion. The tenets presented for Web browsers apply equally well to other end user applications and can be inferred directly. Active content technologies allow code, in the form of a script, macro, or other kind of portable instruction representation, to execute when the document is rendered. Like any technology, active content can be used to deliver essential services, but it can also become a source of vulnerability for... See full abstract Active content technologies allow code, in the form of a script, macro, or other kind of portable instruction representation, to execute when the document is rendered. Like any technology, active content can be used to deliver essential services, but it can also become a source of vulnerability for exploitation by an attacker. The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of active content and mobile code technologies in use today and offer insights for making informed IT security decisions on their application and treatment. The discussion gives details about the threats, technology risks, and safeguards for end user systems, such as desktops and laptops. Although various end user applications, such as email clients, can involve active content, Web browsers remain the primary vehicle for delivery and are underscored in the discussion. The tenets presented for Web browsers apply equally well to other end user applications and can be inferred directly. Hide full abstract Keywords Active content ; email security ; malware ; mobile code ; Web security Control Families Access Control ; Risk Assessment ; System and Communications Protection ; System and Information Integrity Documentation Publication: https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-28ver2 Download URL Supplemental Material: None available Document History: 03/07/08: SP 800-28 Version 2 (Final) Topics Security and Privacy risk assessment , threats , vulnerability management Technologies mobile HEADQUARTERS 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20899 X (link is external) facebook (link is external) linkedin (link is external) instagram (link is external) youtube (link is external) rss govdelivery (link is external) Want updates about CSRC and our publications? 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