CM-7(2)_prevent-program-execution

CM-7(2) Prevent Program Execution

Enhancement of: CM-7

High-Level Description

Family: Configuration Management (CM) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Prevention of program execution addresses organizational policies, rules of behavior, and/or access agreements that restrict software usage and the terms and conditions imposed by the developer or manufacturer, including software licensing and copyrights. Restrictions include prohibiting auto-execute features, restricting roles allowed to approve program execution, permitting or prohibiting specific software programs, or restricting the number of program instances executed at the same time.

What to Check

• Verify CM-7(2) Prevent Program Execution is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for CM-7(2)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control CM-7

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for CM-7(2) 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

Prevent program execution in accordance with [organization-defined].

Implementation Guidance

Prevention of program execution addresses organizational policies, rules of behavior, and/or access agreements that restrict software usage and the terms and conditions imposed by the developer or manufacturer, including software licensing and copyrights. Restrictions include prohibiting auto-execute features, restricting roles allowed to approve program execution, permitting or prohibiting specific software programs, or restricting the number of program instances executed at the same time.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - CM-7(2)
• 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 (CM-8, PL-4, PL-9, PM-5, PS-6) reviewed