AU-9(6)_read-only-access

AU-9(6) Read-only Access

Enhancement of: AU-9

High-Level Description

Family: Audit and Accountability (AU) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Restricting privileged user or role authorizations to read-only helps to limit the potential damage to organizations that could be initiated by such users or roles, such as deleting audit records to cover up malicious activity.

What to Check

• Verify AU-9(6) Read-only Access is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for AU-9(6)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control AU-9

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for AU-9(6) 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 read-only access to audit information to [organization-defined].

Implementation Guidance

Restricting privileged user or role authorizations to read-only helps to limit the potential damage to organizations that could be initiated by such users or roles, such as deleting audit records to cover up malicious activity.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - AU-9(6)
• 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