AC-17(4)_privileged-commands-and-access

AC-17(4) Privileged Commands and Access

Enhancement of: AC-17

High-Level Description

Family: Access Control (AC) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Remote access to systems represents a significant potential vulnerability that can be exploited by adversaries. As such, restricting the execution of privileged commands and access to security-relevant information via remote access reduces the exposure of the organization and the susceptibility to threats by adversaries to the remote access capability.

What to Check

• Verify AC-17(4) Privileged Commands and Access is documented in SSP
• Validate all 2 control requirements are implemented
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for AC-17(4)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control AC-17

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for AC-17(4) implementation details. Verify the organization has documented how this control is satisfied.

Step 2: Validate Implementation

# For cloud environments, use cloud-audit-mcp tools
# For on-premises, review system configurations directly

# Example: Check if account management policies exist
grep -r "account.management\|access.control" /etc/security/ 2>/dev/null

Step 3: Test Operating Effectiveness

Verify the control is actively functioning, not just documented. Check logs, configurations, and operational evidence.

Tools

Remediation Guide

Control Statement

Authorize the execution of privileged commands and access to security-relevant information via remote access only in a format that provides assessable evidence and for the following needs: [organization-defined] ; and Document the rationale for remote access in the security plan for the system.

Implementation Guidance

Remote access to systems represents a significant potential vulnerability that can be exploited by adversaries. As such, restricting the execution of privileged commands and access to security-relevant information via remote access reduces the exposure of the organization and the susceptibility to threats by adversaries to the remote access capability.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - AC-17(4)
• NIST SP 800-53A Rev 5 (Assessment Procedures)
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 Full Catalog

Checklist

• Control documented in SSP
• Implementation evidence collected
• Operating effectiveness validated
• Continuous monitoring in place
• Related controls (AC-6, SC-12, SC-13) reviewed