AC.L2-3.1.15 Privileged Remote Access
Authorize remote execution of privileged commands and remote access to security-relevant information.
Source: NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 3.1.15
Discussion: A privileged command is a human-initiated (interactively or via a process operating on behalf of the human) command executed on a system involving the control, monitoring, or administration of the system including security functions and associated security-relevant information. Security-relevant information is any information within the system that can potentially impact the operation of security functions or the provision of security services in a manner that could result in failure to enforce the system security policy or maintain isolation of code and data. Privileged commands give individuals the ability to execute sensitive, security-critical, or security-relevant system functions. Controlling such access from remote locations helps to ensure that unauthorized individuals are not able to execute such commands freely with the potential to do serious or catastrophic damage to organizational systems. Note that the ability to affect the integrity of the system is considered security-relevant as that could enable the means to by-pass security functions although not directly impacting the function itself.
Assessment Objectives:
Determine if:
- [a] privileged commands authorized for remote execution are identified;
- [b] security-relevant information authorized to be accessed remotely is identified;
- [c] the execution of the identified privileged commands via remote access is authorized; and
- [d] access to the identified security-relevant information via remote access is authorized.
Examine: [SELECT FROM: Access control policy; procedures addressing remote access to the system; system configuration settings and associated documentation; security plan; system audit logs and records; other relevant documents or records].
Interview: [SELECT FROM: System or network administrators; personnel with information security responsibilities].
Test: [SELECT FROM: Mechanisms implementing remote access management].
SPRS Score: 1
POA&M Allowed: Yes