AC-17(4)_privileged-commands-and-access
DevOps & SecurityAC-17(4)_privileged-commands-and-access is an Agent Skill for devops & security published in the CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike repository on GitHub: a SKILL.md instruction file an AI agent can load to do this task.
Authorize the execution of privileged commands and access to security-relevant information via remote access only in a format that provides assessa...
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AC-17(4) Privileged Commands and Access
Enhancement of: AC-17
High-Level Description
Family: Access Control (AC) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
Remote access to systems represents a significant potential vulnerability that can be exploited by adversaries. As such, restricting the execution of privileged commands and access to security-relevant information via remote access reduces the exposure of the organization and the susceptibility to threats by adversaries to the remote access capability.
What to Check
- Verify AC-17(4) Privileged Commands and Access is documented in SSP
- Validate all 2 control requirements are implemented
- Confirm control is operating effectively
- Review evidence of continuous monitoring for AC-17(4)
- Verify enhancement builds upon base control AC-17
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for AC-17(4) 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
| Tool | Purpose | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| cloud-audit-mcp | Check IAM policies and access controls | cloud_audit_iam_policies |
| hackbrowser-mcp | Test web application access controls | browser_auth_test |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Authorize the execution of privileged commands and access to security-relevant information via remote access only in a format that provides assessable evidence and for the following needs: [organization-defined] ; and Document the rationale for remote access in the security plan for the system.
Implementation Guidance
Remote access to systems represents a significant potential vulnerability that can be exploited by adversaries. As such, restricting the execution of privileged commands and access to security-relevant information via remote access reduces the exposure of the organization and the susceptibility to threats by adversaries to the remote access capability.
Risk Assessment
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| AC-17(4) Privileged Commands and Access not implemented | High | Access Control |
| AC-17(4) partially implemented | Medium | Incomplete Access Control |
CWE Categories
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|---|
| CWE-284 | Improper Access Control |
References
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - AC-17(4)
- 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 (AC-6, SC-12, SC-13) reviewed