AC-17(9) Disconnect or Disable Access
Enhancement of: AC-17
High-Level Description
Family: Access Control (AC) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
The speed of system disconnect or disablement varies based on the criticality of missions or business functions and the need to eliminate immediate or future remote access to systems.
What to Check
- Verify AC-17(9) Disconnect or Disable Access is documented in SSP
- Confirm control is operating effectively
- Review evidence of continuous monitoring for AC-17(9)
- 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(9) 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
| Tool | Purpose | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| cloud-audit-mcp | Check IAM policies and access controls | cloud_audit_iam_policies |
| hackbrowser | Test web application access controls | hackbrowser |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Provide the capability to disconnect or disable remote access to the system within [organization-defined].
Implementation Guidance
The speed of system disconnect or disablement varies based on the criticality of missions or business functions and the need to eliminate immediate or future remote access to systems.
Risk Assessment
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| AC-17(9) Disconnect or Disable Access not implemented | High | Access Control |
| AC-17(9) partially implemented | Medium | Incomplete Access Control |
CWE Categories
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|---|
| CWE-284 | Improper Access Control |
References
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - AC-17(9)
- 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 (none) reviewed