AC-3(10)_audited-override-of-access-control-mechanisms
DevOps & SecurityAC-3(10)_audited-override-of-access-control-mechanisms 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.
Employ an audited override of automated access control mechanisms under [organization-defined] by [organization-defined].
How to use this skill
Bring this guide into your coding agent with a prompt tailored to the tool you use.
- Open your project in Codex.
- Copy and paste the prompt below.
- Review files and risks before approving any action.
Inspect the Agent Skill at https://github.com/CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike/blob/HEAD/.cyberstrike/skill/NIST/SP800-53_rev5/AC_access-control/AC-3(10)_audited-override-of-access-control-mechanisms/SKILL.md and all supporting files. Report provenance, permissions, scripts, dependencies, and security risks. Propose an exact installation into .agents/skills/ac-3-10-audited-override-of-access-control-mechanisms, but wait for my approval before writing files or running scripts.
Copying this prompt does not install or run the skill. Review third-party files before use.
AC-3(10) Audited Override of Access Control Mechanisms
Enhancement of: AC-3
High-Level Description
Family: Access Control (AC) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
In certain situations, such as when there is a threat to human life or an event that threatens the organization’s ability to carry out critical missions or business functions, an override capability for access control mechanisms may be needed. Override conditions are defined by organizations and used only in those limited circumstances. Audit events are defined in AU-2 . Audit records are generated in AU-12.
What to Check
- Verify AC-3(10) Audited Override of Access Control Mechanisms is documented in SSP
- Confirm control is operating effectively
- Review evidence of continuous monitoring for AC-3(10)
- Verify enhancement builds upon base control AC-3
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for AC-3(10) 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
Employ an audited override of automated access control mechanisms under [organization-defined] by [organization-defined].
Implementation Guidance
In certain situations, such as when there is a threat to human life or an event that threatens the organization’s ability to carry out critical missions or business functions, an override capability for access control mechanisms may be needed. Override conditions are defined by organizations and used only in those limited circumstances. Audit events are defined in AU-2 . Audit records are generated in AU-12.
Risk Assessment
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| AC-3(10) Audited Override of Access Control Mechanisms not implemented | High | Access Control |
| AC-3(10) partially implemented | Medium | Incomplete Access Control |
CWE Categories
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|---|
| CWE-284 | Improper Access Control |
References
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - AC-3(10)
- 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-2, AU-6, AU-10, AU-12, AU-14) reviewed