[OPLINTECH] Internet Explorer kiosk mode stumper

Thu Aug 30 14:08:42 EDT 2012

I'm actually working to provide an alternate solution for a PXE remote
booted ThinStation 2.x distro which went straight to Firefox with no
desktop. It works fairly well as a kiosk, but isn't really particularly
configurable without doing a whole new TS build with the newest version
(for which they haven't yet gotten around to providing binaries for). The
fonts and font sizes aren't working out too well for the library patrons
and I can't adjust without doing a build from scratch...something I'm not
up for right now.

So, using the software already available, I thought I'd try a different
route...something equally (more) locked down, but something I have easy and
nearly complete control over via GP/GPP.

At SLO, it sounds like you're using the default Explorer shell, maybe
locking it down a bit via GP and enforcing the configuration through
mandatory profiles. For this application, I was trying to reduce the attack
surface by using IE as the shell. I took care of history & favorites in
policies; history isn't retained, and even if it was, it would only ever
show the single web site the kiosk is limited to...the library's catalog.
This configuration *should* be simpler to implement/configure and more
secure. I think I've gotten where I want to be except for this single issue
that there doesn't seem to be a policy or reg hack for (at least at the
user policy/profile level).

I may take you up on the RSOP, though. Thank you. I may get back with you
later on that.

Chad

-- 
______________________________
*Chad Neeper*
Senior Systems Engineer

*Level 9 Networks*
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)

*Full LAN/WAN consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and schools*

On Thu, Aug 30, 2012 at 1:31 PM, Eric Maynard <emaynard at library.ohio.gov>wrote:

> Chad,****
>
> ** **
>
> When I was Holmes Co. we used a locked down kiosk linux distro (
> http://webconverger.com/) that booted from CD/USB and then restarted at
> the end of each session assuming the patron click on the close button.  It
> also ran on an idle timer that did the same after a set time.  I understand
> that is not what you are after here, but our public stations at the State
> Library might provide what you are looking for.****
>
> ** **
>
> Here at SLO, we handle the history thing on our public PCs using mandatory
> profiles and forcing reboots at session end.  A clean profile (incl.
> browsing history) is then loaded for each patron.  As for the downloads, we
> have locked down C: using policy in a way that even if they get a browse
> button (and I only saw one in quick testing), then they are not able to
> browse anywhere useful in Explorer.****
>
> ** **
>
> I would be happy to share our resultant set off list if you think it would
> be helpful.****
>
> ** **
>
> -Eric****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org [mailto:
> oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] *On Behalf Of *Chad Neeper
> *Sent:* Thursday, August 30, 2012 12:45 PM
> *To:* OPLINTECH
> *Subject:* Re: [OPLINTECH] Internet Explorer kiosk mode stumper****
>
> ** **
>
> Thanks for the response, Nathan. One of the things nagging in the back of
> my mind was if this was a problem unique to this particular environment. If
> you're having the exact same results in a similar setup, then it's not just
> me. It must be a real thing. It appears you can actually do it within GPP
> (or manually I assume) without KeyTweak by making some registry changes.
> Check this link out:
>
>
> http://www.sdmsoftware.com/group-policy-preferences/disabling-print-screen-through-group-policy/
>
> He's talking about disabling Print Screen, but the same technique should
> apply to whatever key or key combination you desire, including CTRL-H and
> CTRL-J. I haven't specifically tested it (or even very closely read the
> above link) myself, but I'm familiar with the concept of remapping the
> scancodes, which is what he's doing using the built-in tools provided by
> the OS. Used to do this occasionally in the old MS-DOS days! Still applies.
>
> I'm still looking for a solution because the scancodes changes are
> computer level policies that will affect all users. I'm really trying to
> find a user policy to accomplish this.
>
> However, this may be the only option. Not my first choice on a production
> server, though!!!
>
> If I end up going there, I'll post the exact changes I made to disable
> CTRL-H and CTRL-J using the scancodes method.
>
> Thanks,
> Chad
>
>
> --
> ______________________________
> *Chad Neeper*
> Senior Systems Engineer
>
> *Level 9 Networks*
> 740-548-8070 (voice)
> 866-214-6607 (fax)
>
> *Full LAN/WAN consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and schools*
>
>
> ****
>
> On Thu, Aug 30, 2012 at 10:40 AM, Nathan Rice <nrice at findlaylibrary.org>
> wrote:****
>
> Chad, I have a very similar configuration as you. I’m running a GPO with a
> custom user interface launching IE in kiosk mode, I am having the same
> issues trying to disable the crtl+h and ctrl+j. I’m still running standard
> desktop PCs for my catalog systems and my next move was to install KeyTweak
> to disable the Ctrl key and maybe have the custom user interface launch a
> script that opens KeyTweak then IE in kiosk mode. I also thought about
> writing something in autohotkey but I’m not sure how much time I really
> want to invest into this. ****
>
>  ****
>
> Unfortunately it seems that there’s no easy registry or GPO setting for
> this one and since you’re running terminal services I’m sure this could be
> a little more tricky when 3rd party software gets involved…  ****
>
>  ****
>
> Sincerely,****
>
>  ****
>
> Nathan Rice
> Manager of Information Technology
> Findlay-Hancock County Public Library
> 206 Broadway
> Findlay, OH 45840
> 419-422-1712 (Library)
> 419-424-7051 ext. 264 (Direct Line)
> nrice at findlaylibrary.org****
>
>
> Confidentiality Notice:
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> of this message is not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately
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> you.  ****
>
>  ****
>
> *From:* oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org [mailto:
> oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] *On Behalf Of *Chad Neeper
> *Sent:* Thursday, August 30, 2012 9:49 AM
> *To:* OPLINTECH
> *Subject:* [OPLINTECH] Internet Explorer kiosk mode stumper****
>
>  ****
>
> Ok, folks. I've got a stumper I can't seem to solve. I spent half of
> yesterday getting to this point and am hoping someone here can get me
> moving again. I'm trying to make an Internet Explorer kiosk which only
> accesses the library's web-based catalog and nothing else. I'm using a thin
> client to access a Windows 2008R2 server, so Deep Freeze isn't an option
> and all of the lock-down mechanisms must be in the user profile only so as
> to not affect other users. After the better part of the day, using nothing
> but the tools available in Windows, I've worked around all of the failings
> of doing this and have a nearly bullet proof browser locked to the catalog,
> incapable of accessing any other site and which affects only the user
> profile:****
>
>
>
> I'm using Group Policies to enforce the following setup for the user:
> - Locked the browser to one website only by setting the proxy server in
> Internet Options to 127.0.0.0:91 (just a loopback address with an unused
> port...an invalid proxy server) with an exception to bypass the proxy for
> the catalog server. (This affects only the user, not the whole system.)
> - Replaced the Explorer shell with Internet Explorer running in kiosk mode
> (iexplore.exe -K)
> - Group Policies again to prevent everything but Logout when CTRL-ALT-DEL
> is pressed.
> - IE as a shell in Kiosk mode works great until it is escaped by clicking
> a link that opens a new window...which opens in regular old non-kiosk mode.
> Fixed that by majorly austere group policies and some specific registry
> changes via group policy preferences...effectively re-creating kiosk mode
> the hard way, complete with no URL bar, pull-down menus, etc.
>
> The only thing left that I can't seem to disable via GP or registry tweak
> is that CTRL-H and CTRL-J are still enabled. CTRL-H brings up the
> history/favorites window. It's pretty much benign, since I'm removing
> history and favorites, but it's a potential escape point. More devastating,
> however, is CTRL-J. This brings up the View Downloads window...which leads
> to Download Options...Which leads to a "Browse" button...Which SAYS that
> the operation is cancelled due to restrictions, but actually brings up a
> file system browse window complete with enumeration of the server's file
> system and network...which leads to anything I feel like doing, including
> easily launching a full Explorer desktop.
>
> Complete and total failure to lock down IE using available group policies
> and GPPs, even with kiosk mode enabled. On the surface it SEEMS secure, but
> as soon as some kid mashes the keyboard, the breach will be exposed.
>
> I was able to slightly limit some of the browse window by using some of
> the Explorer Group Policies, but since Internet Explorer is the shell...ot
> Explorer...the policies don't seem to affect it the same way.
>
> So what I'd like to be able to do is disable at least CTRL-J...the View
> Downloads window, which will lock out the breach. I can supposedly remap
> the CTRL-J and CTRL-H scan codes to NUL but that's a computer-level change
> affecting all users. I want to keep this at the user level.
>
> Yes, I know:  Linux, or another browser with a better kiosk mode/plug-in.
> But I'm trying to use available software and tools, which means Windows OS,
> IE, and the standard tools that come with them. No third party apps. I'm
> 99.9% of the way there and it would really stink if that last .1% turns out
> to be this glaring breach that Microsoft overlooked in their infinite
> wisdom of security-as-an-afterthought.
>
> Thoughts anyone? I'm stuck.
>
> Thanks,
> Chad
>
> --
> ______________________________
> *Chad Neeper*
> Senior Systems Engineer
>
> *Level 9 Networks*
> 740-548-8070 (voice)
> 866-214-6607 (fax)
>
> *Full LAN/WAN consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and schools*
> ****
>
> ** **
>
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