CM-8(9)_assignment-of-components-to-systems

CM-8(9) Assignment of Components to Systems

Enhancement of: CM-8

High-Level Description

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

System components that are not assigned to a system may be unmanaged, lack the required protection, and become an organizational vulnerability.

What to Check

• Verify CM-8(9) Assignment of Components to Systems is documented in SSP
• Validate all 2 control requirements are implemented
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for CM-8(9)
• 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(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

Remediation Guide

Control Statement

Assign system components to a system; and Receive an acknowledgement from [organization-defined] of this assignment.

Implementation Guidance

System components that are not assigned to a system may be unmanaged, lack the required protection, and become an organizational vulnerability.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - CM-8(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