MA-4(1)_logging-and-review

MA-4(1) Logging and Review

Enhancement of: MA-4

High-Level Description

Family: Maintenance (MA) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Audit logging for nonlocal maintenance is enforced by AU-2 . Audit events are defined in AU-2a.

What to Check

• Verify MA-4(1) Logging and Review is documented in SSP
• Validate all 2 control requirements are implemented
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for MA-4(1)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control MA-4

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for MA-4(1) 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

Log [organization-defined] for nonlocal maintenance and diagnostic sessions; and Review the audit records of the maintenance and diagnostic sessions to detect anomalous behavior.

Implementation Guidance

Audit logging for nonlocal maintenance is enforced by AU-2 . Audit events are defined in AU-2a.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - MA-4(1)
• 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 (AU-6, AU-12) reviewed