The Palo Alto Networks security platform, if used as a TLS gateway/decryption point or VPN concentrator, must use encryption services that implement NIST FIPS-validated cryptography to protect the confidentiality of remote access sessions.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-62549	PANW-AG-000016	SV-77039r1_rule		Medium

Description
Without confidentiality protection mechanisms, unauthorized individuals may gain access to sensitive information via a remote access session. Encryption provides a means to secure the remote connection so as to prevent unauthorized access to the data traversing the remote access connection, thereby providing a degree of confidentiality. The encryption strength of the mechanism is selected based on the security categorization of the information. Remote access is access to DoD nonpublic information systems by an authorized user (or an information system) communicating through an external, non-organization-controlled network. Remote access methods include broadband and wireless connections. Remote access methods include, for example, proxied remote encrypted traffic (e.g., TLS gateways, web content filters, and webmail proxies).

Description

Without confidentiality protection mechanisms, unauthorized individuals may gain access to sensitive information via a remote access session. Encryption provides a means to secure the remote connection so as to prevent unauthorized access to the data traversing the remote access connection, thereby providing a degree of confidentiality. The encryption strength of the mechanism is selected based on the security categorization of the information. Remote access is access to DoD nonpublic information systems by an authorized user (or an information system) communicating through an external, non-organization-controlled network. Remote access methods include broadband and wireless connections. Remote access methods include, for example, proxied remote encrypted traffic (e.g., TLS gateways, web content filters, and webmail proxies).

STIG	Date
Palo Alto Networks ALG Security Technical Implementation Guide	2015-11-17

Details

Check Text ( C-63353r1_chk )
If the Palo Alto Networks security platform does not serve as an intermediary for remote access traffic (e.g., web content filter, TLS, and webmail), this is not applicable. Use the command line interface to determine if the device is operating in FIPS mode. Enter the command "show fips-mode"; if the response is "off", this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-68469r2_fix)
To configure the Palo Alto Networks security platform to operate in FIPS mode: Power off the device by unplugging it from the electrical outlet. Connect a console cable from the console port to a computer serial port, and use a terminal program to connect to the Palo Alto Networks device. The serial parameters are 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. A USB to serial adapter will be necessary if the computer does not have a serial port. During the boot sequence, this message will appear: "Autoboot to default partition in 5 seconds". Enter "maint" to boot to maint partition. Enter "maint" to enter maintenance mode. Press "Enter", and the "Maintenance Recovery tool" menu will appear. Select "Set FIPS Mode" from the menu; once the device has finished rebooting, it will be in FIPS mode. Note: This will remove all installed licenses and disable the serial port.

Fix Text (F-68469r2_fix)

To configure the Palo Alto Networks security platform to operate in FIPS mode:
Power off the device by unplugging it from the electrical outlet.
Connect a console cable from the console port to a computer serial port, and use a terminal program to connect to the Palo Alto Networks device.
The serial parameters are 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit.
A USB to serial adapter will be necessary if the computer does not have a serial port.

During the boot sequence, this message will appear:
"Autoboot to default partition in 5 seconds".
Enter "maint" to boot to maint partition.
Enter "maint" to enter maintenance mode.
Press "Enter", and the "Maintenance Recovery tool" menu will appear.
Select "Set FIPS Mode" from the menu; once the device has finished rebooting, it will be in FIPS mode.

Note: This will remove all installed licenses and disable the serial port.