Requirement text: AC.3.021: Authorize remote execution of privileged commands and remote access to
security-relevant information.
DISCUSSION FROM SOURCE: DRAFT NIST SP 800-171 R2
A privileged command is a human-initiated (interactively or via a process operating on
behalf of the human) command executed on a system involving the control, monitoring, or
administration of the system including security functions and associated security-relevant
information. Security-relevant information is any information within the system that can
potentially impact the operation of security functions or the provision of security services in
a manner that could result in failure to enforce the system security policy or maintain
isolation of code and data. Privileged commands give individuals the ability to execute
sensitive, security-critical, or security-relevant system functions. Controlling such access
from remote locations helps to ensure that unauthorized individuals are not able to execute
such commands freely with the potential to do serious or catastrophic damage to
organizational systems. Note that the ability to affect the integrity of the system is
considered security-relevant as that could enable the means to by-pass security functions
although not directly impacting the function itself.
CMMC CLARIFICATION
Privileged users need to execute commands with elevated privileges. But not all privileged
users are allowed to perform these functions from a remote location, and not all privileged
commands can be executed remotely. You must document which user roles have
permissions to remotely execute privileged commands to make changes and to access
security relevant information. In addition, you must document which administrative
functions can be executed remotely. This documentation must be used to establish security
mechanisms that enforce the policy.
Example
In accordance with the Access Control Policy certain users may be permitted to perform a
limited set of administrative commands from a remote machine. Implement controls to
enforce 1) who can remotely execute a privileged command and which privileged commands
they can execute, and 2) who is allowed access to security relevant information such as audit
log configuration settings.
References
• NIST SP 800-171 Rev 1 3.1.15
• CIS Controls v7.1 8.8, 12.11, 12.12
• NIST CSF v1.1 PR.AC-3, PR.PT-4
• CERT RMM v1.2 TM:SG2.SP2
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-17(4)