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SC-23_session-authenticity

DevOps & Security
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Protect the authenticity of communications sessions.

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How to use this skill

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Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike/blob/HEAD/.cyberstrike/skill/NIST/SP800-53_rev5/SC_system-and-communications-protection/SC-23_session-authenticity/SKILL.md

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SC-23 Session Authenticity

High-Level Description

Family: System and Communications Protection (SC) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Protecting session authenticity addresses communications protection at the session level, not at the packet level. Such protection establishes grounds for confidence at both ends of communications sessions in the ongoing identities of other parties and the validity of transmitted information. Authenticity protection includes protecting against "man-in-the-middle" attacks, session hijacking, and the insertion of false information into sessions.

What to Check

  • Verify SC-23 Session Authenticity is documented in SSP
  • Confirm control is operating effectively
  • Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SC-23

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SC-23 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

ToolPurposeUsage
cloud-audit-mcpCheck encryption and network controlscloud_audit_encryption
nmapNetwork scanningnmap -sV --script ssl-enum-ciphers

Remediation Guide

Control Statement

Protect the authenticity of communications sessions.

Implementation Guidance

Protecting session authenticity addresses communications protection at the session level, not at the packet level. Such protection establishes grounds for confidence at both ends of communications sessions in the ongoing identities of other parties and the validity of transmitted information. Authenticity protection includes protecting against "man-in-the-middle" attacks, session hijacking, and the insertion of false information into sessions.

Risk Assessment

FindingSeverityImpact
SC-23 Session Authenticity not implementedHighSystem and Communications Protection
SC-23 partially implementedMediumIncomplete System and Communications Protection

CWE Categories

CWE IDTitle
CWE-311Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data

References

Checklist

  • Control documented in SSP
  • Implementation evidence collected
  • Operating effectiveness validated
  • Continuous monitoring in place
  • Related controls (AU-10, SC-8, SC-10, SC-11) reviewed