The BIG-IP Core implementation must be configured to implement NIST FIPS-validated cryptography to generate cryptographic hashes when providing encryption traffic to virtual servers.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-215798	F5BI-LT-000291	SV-215798r831480_rule		Medium

Description
Use of weak or untested encryption algorithms undermines the purposes of utilizing encryption to protect data. The network element must implement cryptographic modules adhering to the higher standards approved by the federal government since this provides assurance they have been tested and validated. This requirement applies only to ALGs that provide encryption intermediary services (e.g., HTTPS, TLS, or DNSSEC).

Description

Use of weak or untested encryption algorithms undermines the purposes of utilizing encryption to protect data. The network element must implement cryptographic modules adhering to the higher standards approved by the federal government since this provides assurance they have been tested and validated. This requirement applies only to ALGs that provide encryption intermediary services (e.g., HTTPS, TLS, or DNSSEC).

STIG	Date
F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager Security Technical Implementation Guide	2024-01-26

Details

Check Text ( C-16990r291207_chk )
If the BIG-IP Core does not provide encryption intermediary services (e.g., HTTPS, TLS, or DNSSEC) for virtual servers, this is not applicable. When encryption intermediary services are provided, verify the BIG-IP Core is configured to implement NIST FIPS-validated cryptography to generate cryptographic hashes. Navigate to the BIG-IP System manager >> Local traffic >> Profiles >> SSL >> Client. Verify a profile exists that is FIPS Compliant. Select a FIPS-compliant profile. Select "Advanced" next to "Configuration". Verify "Ciphers" under "Configuration" section is configured to use FIPS-compliant ciphers. Verify applicable virtual servers are configured in the BIG-IP LTM to use a FIPS-compliant client profile: Navigate to the BIG-IP System manager >> Local Traffic >> Virtual Servers >> Virtual Servers List tab. Select Virtual Servers(s) from the list to verify. Verify under "Configuration" section, that a FIPS-compliant profile is in the "Selected" area of "SSL Profile (Client)". If the BIG-IP Core is not configured to implement NIST FIPS-validated cryptography to generate cryptographic hashes, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-16990r291207_chk )

If the BIG-IP Core does not provide encryption intermediary services (e.g., HTTPS, TLS, or DNSSEC) for virtual servers, this is not applicable.

When encryption intermediary services are provided, verify the BIG-IP Core is configured to implement NIST FIPS-validated cryptography to generate cryptographic hashes.

Navigate to the BIG-IP System manager >> Local traffic >> Profiles >> SSL >> Client.

Verify a profile exists that is FIPS Compliant.

Select a FIPS-compliant profile.

Select "Advanced" next to "Configuration".

Verify "Ciphers" under "Configuration" section is configured to use FIPS-compliant ciphers.

Verify applicable virtual servers are configured in the BIG-IP LTM to use a FIPS-compliant client profile:

Navigate to the BIG-IP System manager >> Local Traffic >> Virtual Servers >> Virtual Servers List tab.

Select Virtual Servers(s) from the list to verify.

Verify under "Configuration" section, that a FIPS-compliant profile is in the "Selected" area of "SSL Profile (Client)".

If the BIG-IP Core is not configured to implement NIST FIPS-validated cryptography to generate cryptographic hashes, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-16988r291208_fix)
If encryption intermediary services are provided, configure the BIG-IP Core to implement NIST FIPS-validated cryptography to generate cryptographic hashes.