SA-8(11)_inverse-modification-threshold
DevOps & SecurityImplement the security design principle of inverse modification threshold in [organization-defined].
How to use this skill
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SA-8(11) Inverse Modification Threshold
Enhancement of: SA-8
High-Level Description
Family: System and Services Acquisition (SA) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
The principle of inverse modification threshold builds on the principle of trusted components and the principle of hierarchical trust and states that the degree of protection provided to a component is commensurate with its trustworthiness. As the trust placed in a component increases, the protection against unauthorized modification of the component also increases to the same degree. Protection from unauthorized modification can come in the form of the component’s own self-protection and innate trustworthiness, or it can come from the protections afforded to the component from other elements or attributes of the security architecture (to include protections in the environment of operation).
What to Check
- Verify SA-8(11) Inverse Modification Threshold is documented in SSP
- Confirm control is operating effectively
- Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SA-8(11)
- Verify enhancement builds upon base control SA-8
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SA-8(11) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Review | Documentation and interview-based | N/A |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Implement the security design principle of inverse modification threshold in [organization-defined].
Implementation Guidance
The principle of inverse modification threshold builds on the principle of trusted components and the principle of hierarchical trust and states that the degree of protection provided to a component is commensurate with its trustworthiness. As the trust placed in a component increases, the protection against unauthorized modification of the component also increases to the same degree. Protection from unauthorized modification can come in the form of the component’s own self-protection and innate trustworthiness, or it can come from the protections afforded to the component from other elements or attributes of the security architecture (to include protections in the environment of operation).
Risk Assessment
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| SA-8(11) Inverse Modification Threshold not implemented | Medium | System and Services Acquisition |
| SA-8(11) partially implemented | Low | Incomplete System and Services Acquisition |
CWE Categories
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|---|
| CWE-16 | Configuration |
References
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - SA-8(11)
- 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