The network device must notify System Administrators (SAs) and Information System Security Officers (ISSMs) when accounts are created, or enabled when previously disabled.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-55207	SRG-APP-000320-NDM-000284	SV-69453r2_rule		Medium

Description
Once an attacker establishes initial access to a system, the attacker often attempts to create a persistent method of reestablishing access. One way to accomplish this is for the attacker to simply enable a new or disabled account. Notification of account enabling is one method for mitigating this risk. A comprehensive account management process will ensure an audit trail which documents the creation of application user accounts and notifies SAs and ISSMs. Such a process greatly reduces the risk that accounts will be surreptitiously enabled and provides logging that can be used for forensic purposes. In order to detect and respond to events that affect network administrator accessibility and device processing, network devices must audit account enabling actions and, as required, notify the appropriate individuals so they can investigate the event.

Description

Once an attacker establishes initial access to a system, the attacker often attempts to create a persistent method of reestablishing access. One way to accomplish this is for the attacker to simply enable a new or disabled account. Notification of account enabling is one method for mitigating this risk. A comprehensive account management process will ensure an audit trail which documents the creation of application user accounts and notifies SAs and ISSMs. Such a process greatly reduces the risk that accounts will be surreptitiously enabled and provides logging that can be used for forensic purposes. In order to detect and respond to events that affect network administrator accessibility and device processing, network devices must audit account enabling actions and, as required, notify the appropriate individuals so they can investigate the event.

STIG	Date
Network Device Management Security Requirements Guide	2016-07-07

Details

Check Text ( C-55827r1_chk )
Determine if the network device generates an immediate alert for account enabling actions. This requirement may be verified by demonstration, configuration review or validated test results. This requirement may be met through use of a properly configured authentication server if the device is configured to use the authentication server. If the network device does not generate an immediate alert for account enabling actions, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-55827r1_chk )

Determine if the network device generates an immediate alert for account enabling actions. This requirement may be verified by demonstration, configuration review or validated test results. This requirement may be met through use of a properly configured authentication server if the device is configured to use the authentication server. If the network device does not generate an immediate alert for account enabling actions, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-60071r1_fix)
Configure the network device or its associated authentication server to generate an immediate alert for account enabling actions.