# Cis Cassandra41 3.8

> Review Superuser/Admin Roles

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-cassandra41-3-8` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-cassandra41-3-8`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-cassandra41-3-8/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-cassandra41-3-8

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# 3.8 Review Superuser/Admin Roles

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Cassandra
- Level 1 - Cassandra on Linux

## Description

The `IS_SUPERUSER` privilege found in the `system_auth.roles` table governs who can control the entire Cassandra database and all of its data contained within.

## Rationale

The `IS_SUPERUSER` privilege allows whoever has it to do anything to the data and full administrator rights to the database, including changing passwords, creating, dropping roles. Limiting the accounts that have the `IS_SUPERUSER` role reduces the chances that an attacker can exploit these capabilities.

## Audit

Execute the following SQL statement to audit this setting:

```sql
select role, is_superuser from system_auth.roles;
```

Looking for `is_superuser = True`

## Remediation

Perform the following steps to remediate this setting:
Looking at those users from the query that have `is_superuser = True`, decide if that user truly needs that role, if not, for each user, issue the following SQL statement (replace `<role>` with the role name from the query):

```sql
alter role <role> with superuser=false;
```

## Default Value

Only the `cassandra` role has superuser privilege by default.

## References

Not specified in the benchmark.

## CIS Controls

**v8:**

- 5.4 Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts
  - Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and productivity suite use, from the user's primary, non-privileged account.

**v7:**

- 4.3 Ensure the Use of Dedicated Administrative Accounts
  - Ensure that all users with administrative account access use a dedicated or secondary account for elevated activities. This account should only be used for administrative activities and not internet browsing, email, or similar activities.

## Profile

- Level 1 | Manual