CM-8(7)_centralized-repository

CM-8(7) Centralized Repository

Enhancement of: CM-8

High-Level Description

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

Organizations may implement centralized system component inventories that include components from all organizational systems. Centralized repositories of component inventories provide opportunities for efficiencies in accounting for organizational hardware, software, and firmware assets. Such repositories may also help organizations rapidly identify the location and responsible individuals of components that have been compromised, breached, or are otherwise in need of mitigation actions. Organizations ensure that the resulting centralized inventories include system-specific information required for proper component accountability.

What to Check

• Verify CM-8(7) Centralized Repository is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for CM-8(7)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control CM-8

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for CM-8(7) 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

Provide a centralized repository for the inventory of system components.

Implementation Guidance

Organizations may implement centralized system component inventories that include components from all organizational systems. Centralized repositories of component inventories provide opportunities for efficiencies in accounting for organizational hardware, software, and firmware assets. Such repositories may also help organizations rapidly identify the location and responsible individuals of components that have been compromised, breached, or are otherwise in need of mitigation actions. Organizations ensure that the resulting centralized inventories include system-specific information required for proper component accountability.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - CM-8(7)
• 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