Do not allow privileged containers creation in a Kubernetes cluster. This recommendation is part of CIS 5.2.1 which is intended to improve the security of your Kubernetes environments. This policy is generally available for Kubernetes Service (AKS), and preview for Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes. For more information, see https://aka.ms/kubepolicydoc.
Assessments count: 1 Assessment Id: 5d90913f-a1c5-4429-ad54-2c6c17fb3c73 DisplayName: Privileged containers should be avoided Description: To prevent unrestricted host access, avoid privileged containers whenever possible.
Privileged containers have all of the root capabilities of a host machine. They can be used as entry points for attacks and to spread malicious code or malware to compromised applications, hosts and networks.
Remediation description: From the 'Unhealthy resources' tab, select the cluster. Defender for Cloud lists the pods running privileged containers.
For these pods, set the privileged flag to 'false' or remove this property on the security context of the container's spec. After making your changes, redeploy the pod with the updated spec.
Categories: Container Severity: Medium Threats: ElevationOfPrivilege, DataExfiltration, ThreatResistance, DenialOfService
The following 31 compliance controls are associated with this Policy definition 'Kubernetes cluster should not allow privileged containers' (95edb821-ddaf-4404-9732-666045e056b4)
Use Azure Security Center to monitor your configuration baseline and use Azure Policy [deny] and [deploy if not exist] rule to enforce secure configuration across Azure compute resources, including VMs, containers, and others.
Understand Azure Policy effects: https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/governance/policy/concepts/effects
Create and manage policies to enforce compliance: https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/governance/policy/tutorials/create-and-manage
**Security Principle:**
Continuously monitor and alert when there is a deviation from the defined configuration baseline. Enforce the desired configuration according to the baseline configuration by denying the non-compliant configuration or deploy a configuration.
**Azure Guidance:**
Use Microsoft Defender for Cloud to configure Azure Policy to audit and enforce configurations of your Azure resources. Use Azure Monitor to create alerts when there is a configuration deviation detected on the resources.
Use Azure Policy [deny] and [deploy if not exist] rule to enforce secure configuration across Azure resources.
For resource configuration audit and enforcement not supported by Azure Policy, you may need to write your own scripts or use third-party tooling to implement the configuration audit and enforcement.
**Implementation and additional context:**
Understand Azure Policy effects:
https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/governance/policy/concepts/effects
Create and manage policies to enforce compliance:
https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/governance/policy/tutorials/create-and-manage
Get compliance data of Azure resources:
https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/governance/policy/how-to/get-compliance-data
Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software
Establish and maintain a secure configuration process.
Shared
1. Establish and maintain a secure configuration process for enterprise assets (end-user devices, including portable and mobile; non-computing/IoT devices; and servers) and software (operating systems and applications).
2. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this safeguard.
To ensure data integrity and safety of enterprise assets.
The organization:
a. Establishes and documents configuration settings for information technology products employed within the information system using [Assignment: organization-defined security configuration checklists] that reflect the most restrictive mode consistent with operational requirements;
b. Implements the configuration settings;
c. Identifies, documents, and approves any deviations from established configuration settings for [Assignment: organization-defined information system components] based on [Assignment: organization-defined operational requirements]; and
d. Monitors and controls changes to the configuration settings in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
Supplemental Guidance: Configuration settings are the set of parameters that can be changed in hardware, software, or firmware components of the information system that affect the security posture and/or functionality of the system. Information technology products for which security- related configuration settings can be defined include, for example, mainframe computers, servers (e.g., database, electronic mail, authentication, web, proxy, file, domain name), workstations, input/output devices (e.g., scanners, copiers, and printers), network components (e.g., firewalls, routers, gateways, voice and data switches, wireless access points, network appliances, sensors), operating systems, middleware, and applications. Security-related parameters are those parameters impacting the security state of information systems including the parameters required to satisfy other security control requirements. Security-related parameters include, for example: (i) registry settings; (ii) account, file, directory permission settings; and (iii) settings for functions, ports, protocols, services, and remote connections. Organizations establish organization-wide configuration settings and subsequently derive specific settings for information systems. The established settings become part of the systems configuration baseline.
Common secure configurations (also referred to as security configuration checklists, lockdown
and hardening guides, security reference guides, security technical implementation guides) provide recognized, standardized, and established benchmarks that stipulate secure configuration settings for specific information technology platforms/products and instructions for configuring those information system components to meet operational requirements. Common secure configurations can be developed by a variety of organizations including, for example, information technology product developers, manufacturers, vendors, consortia, academia, industry, federal agencies, and other organizations in the public and private sectors. Common secure configurations include the United States Government Configuration Baseline (USGCB) which affects the implementation of CM-6 and other controls such as AC-19 and CM-7. The Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) and the defined standards within the protocol (e.g., Common Configuration Enumeration) provide an effective method to uniquely identify, track, and control configuration settings. OMB establishes federal policy on configuration requirements for federal information systems. Related controls: AC-19, CM-2, CM-3, CM-7, SI-4.
References: OMB Memoranda 07-11, 07-18, 08-22; NIST Special Publications 800-70, 800-128; Web: http://nvd.nist.gov, http://checklists.nist.gov, http://www.nsa.gov.
The organization:
a. Establishes and documents configuration settings for information technology products employed within the information system using [Assignment: organization-defined security configuration checklists] that reflect the most restrictive mode consistent with operational requirements;
b. Implements the configuration settings;
c. Identifies, documents, and approves any deviations from established configuration settings for [Assignment: organization-defined information system components] based on [Assignment: organization-defined operational requirements]; and
d. Monitors and controls changes to the configuration settings in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
Supplemental Guidance: Configuration settings are the set of parameters that can be changed in hardware, software, or firmware components of the information system that affect the security posture and/or functionality of the system. Information technology products for which security- related configuration settings can be defined include, for example, mainframe computers, servers (e.g., database, electronic mail, authentication, web, proxy, file, domain name), workstations, input/output devices (e.g., scanners, copiers, and printers), network components (e.g., firewalls, routers, gateways, voice and data switches, wireless access points, network appliances, sensors), operating systems, middleware, and applications. Security-related parameters are those parameters impacting the security state of information systems including the parameters required to satisfy other security control requirements. Security-related parameters include, for example: (i) registry settings; (ii) account, file, directory permission settings; and (iii) settings for functions, ports, protocols, services, and remote connections. Organizations establish organization-wide configuration settings and subsequently derive specific settings for information systems. The established settings become part of the systems configuration baseline.
Common secure configurations (also referred to as security configuration checklists, lockdown
and hardening guides, security reference guides, security technical implementation guides) provide recognized, standardized, and established benchmarks that stipulate secure configuration settings for specific information technology platforms/products and instructions for configuring those information system components to meet operational requirements. Common secure configurations can be developed by a variety of organizations including, for example, information technology product developers, manufacturers, vendors, consortia, academia, industry, federal agencies, and other organizations in the public and private sectors. Common secure configurations include the United States Government Configuration Baseline (USGCB) which affects the implementation of CM-6 and other controls such as AC-19 and CM-7. The Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) and the defined standards within the protocol (e.g., Common Configuration Enumeration) provide an effective method to uniquely identify, track, and control configuration settings. OMB establishes federal policy on configuration requirements for federal information systems. Related controls: AC-19, CM-2, CM-3, CM-7, SI-4.
References: OMB Memoranda 07-11, 07-18, 08-22; NIST Special Publications 800-70, 800-128; Web: http://nvd.nist.gov, http://checklists.nist.gov, http://www.nsa.gov.
- The institution belongs or subscribes to a threat and vulnerability information sharing source(s) that provides information on threats (e.g., Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center [FS-ISAC], U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team [US-CERT]).
- Threat information is used to monitor threats and vulnerabilities.
- Threat information is used to enhance internal risk management and controls.
- Audit log records and other security event logs are reviewed and retained in a secure manner.
- Computer event logs are used for investigations once an event has occurred.
- Network perimeter defense tools (e.g., border router and firewall) are used.
- Systems that are accessed from the Internet or by external parties are protected by firewalls or other similar devices.
- All ports are monitored.
- Up to date antivirus and anti-malware tools are used.
- Systems configurations (for servers, desktops, routers, etc.) follow industry standards and are enforced.
- Ports, functions, protocols and services are prohibited if no longer needed for business purposes.
- Access to make changes to systems configurations (including virtual machines and hypervisors) is controlled and monitored.
- Programs that can override system, object, network, virtual machine, and application controls are restricted.
- System sessions are locked after a pre-defined period of inactivity and are terminated after pre-defined conditions are met.
- Wireless network environments require security settings with strong encryption for authentication and transmission. (*N/A if there are no wireless networks.)
- The institution is able to detect anomalous activities through monitoring across the environment.
- Customer transactions generating anomalous activity alerts are monitored and reviewed.
- Logs of physical and/or logical access are reviewed following events.
- Access to critical systems by third parties is monitored for unauthorized or unusual activity.
- Elevated privileges are monitored.
- Scenarios are used to improve incident detection and response.
- Business continuity testing involves collaboration with critical third parties.
- Systems, applications, and data recovery is tested at least annually.
Agencies MUST ensure that for all servers and workstations: a technical specification is agreed for each platform with specified controls; a standard configuration created and updated for each operating system type and version; system users do not have the ability to install or disable software without approval; and installed software and operating system patching is up to date.
Establish and maintain baseline configurations and inventories of organizational systems (including hardware, software, firmware, and documentation) throughout the respective system development life cycles.
Shared
Microsoft and the customer share responsibilities for implementing this requirement.
Baseline configurations are documented, formally reviewed, and agreed-upon specifications for systems or configuration items within those systems. Baseline configurations serve as a basis for future builds, releases, and changes to systems. Baseline configurations include information about system components (e.g., standard software packages installed on workstations, notebook computers, servers, network components, or mobile devices; current version numbers and update and patch information on operating systems and applications; and configuration settings and parameters), network topology, and the logical placement of those components within the system architecture. Baseline configurations of systems also reflect the current enterprise architecture. Maintaining effective baseline configurations requires creating new baselines as organizational systems change over time. Baseline configuration maintenance includes reviewing and updating the baseline configuration when changes are made based on security risks and deviations from the established baseline configuration. Organizations can implement centralized system component inventories that include components from multiple organizational systems. In such situations, organizations ensure that the resulting inventories include system-specific information required for proper component accountability (e.g., system association, system owner). Information deemed necessary for effective accountability of system components includes hardware inventory specifications, software license information, software version numbers, component owners, and for networked components or devices, machine names and network addresses. Inventory specifications include manufacturer, device type, model, serial number, and physical location. [SP 800-128] provides guidance on security-focused configuration management.
Establish and enforce security configuration settings for information technology products employed in organizational systems.
Shared
Microsoft and the customer share responsibilities for implementing this requirement.
Configuration settings are the set of parameters that can be changed in hardware, software, or firmware components of the system that affect the security posture or functionality of the system. Information technology products for which security-related configuration settings can be defined include mainframe computers, servers, workstations, input and output devices (e.g., scanners, copiers, and printers), network components (e.g., firewalls, routers, gateways, voice and data switches, wireless access points, network appliances, sensors), operating systems, middleware, and applications. Security parameters are those parameters impacting the security state of systems including the parameters required to satisfy other security requirements. Security parameters include: registry settings; account, file, directory permission settings; and settings for functions, ports, protocols, and remote connections. Organizations establish organization-wide configuration settings and subsequently derive specific configuration settings for systems. The established settings become part of the systems configuration baseline. Common secure configurations (also referred to as security configuration checklists, lockdown and hardening guides, security reference guides, security technical implementation guides) provide recognized, standardized, and established benchmarks that stipulate secure configuration settings for specific information technology platforms/products and instructions for configuring those system components to meet operational requirements. Common secure configurations can be developed by a variety of organizations including information technology product developers, manufacturers, vendors, consortia, academia, industry, federal agencies, and other organizations in the public and private sectors. [SP 800-70] and [SP 800-128] provide guidance on security configuration settings.
The organization:
a. Establishes and documents configuration settings for information technology products employed within the information system using [Assignment: organization-defined security configuration checklists] that reflect the most restrictive mode consistent with operational requirements;
b. Implements the configuration settings;
c. Identifies, documents, and approves any deviations from established configuration settings for [Assignment: organization-defined information system components] based on [Assignment: organization-defined operational requirements]; and
d. Monitors and controls changes to the configuration settings in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
Supplemental Guidance: Configuration settings are the set of parameters that can be changed in hardware, software, or firmware components of the information system that affect the security posture and/or functionality of the system. Information technology products for which security- related configuration settings can be defined include, for example, mainframe computers, servers (e.g., database, electronic mail, authentication, web, proxy, file, domain name), workstations, input/output devices (e.g., scanners, copiers, and printers), network components (e.g., firewalls, routers, gateways, voice and data switches, wireless access points, network appliances, sensors), operating systems, middleware, and applications. Security-related parameters are those parameters impacting the security state of information systems including the parameters required to satisfy other security control requirements. Security-related parameters include, for example: (i) registry settings; (ii) account, file, directory permission settings; and (iii) settings for functions, ports, protocols, services, and remote connections. Organizations establish organization-wide configuration settings and subsequently derive specific settings for information systems. The established settings become part of the systems configuration baseline.
Common secure configurations (also referred to as security configuration checklists, lockdown
and hardening guides, security reference guides, security technical implementation guides) provide recognized, standardized, and established benchmarks that stipulate secure configuration settings for specific information technology platforms/products and instructions for configuring those information system components to meet operational requirements. Common secure configurations can be developed by a variety of organizations including, for example, information technology product developers, manufacturers, vendors, consortia, academia, industry, federal agencies, and other organizations in the public and private sectors. Common secure configurations include the United States Government Configuration Baseline (USGCB) which affects the implementation of CM-6 and other controls such as AC-19 and CM-7. The Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) and the defined standards within the protocol (e.g., Common Configuration Enumeration) provide an effective method to uniquely identify, track, and control configuration settings. OMB establishes federal policy on configuration requirements for federal information systems. Related controls: AC-19, CM-2, CM-3, CM-7, SI-4.
References: OMB Memoranda 07-11, 07-18, 08-22; NIST Special Publications 800-70, 800-128; Web: http://nvd.nist.gov, http://checklists.nist.gov, http://www.nsa.gov.
a. Establish and document configuration settings for components employed within the system that reflect the most restrictive mode consistent with operational requirements using [Assignment: organization-defined common secure configurations];
b. Implement the configuration settings;
c. Identify, document, and approve any deviations from established configuration settings for [Assignment: organization-defined system components] based on [Assignment: organization-defined operational requirements]; and
d. Monitor and control changes to the configuration settings in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
Whilst a SOE can be sufficiently hardened when it is deployed, its security will progressively degrade over time. Agencies can address the degradation of the security of a SOE by ensuring that patches are continually applied, system users are not able to disable or bypass security functionality and antivirus and other security software is appropriately maintained with the latest signatures and updates.
End Point Agents monitor traffic and apply security policies on applications, storage interfaces and data in real-time. Administrators actively block or monitor and log policy breaches. The End Point Agent can also create forensic monitoring to facilitate incident investigation.
End Point Agents can monitor user activity, such as the cut, copy, paste, print, print screen operations and copying data to external drives and other devices. The Agent can then apply policies to limit such activity.
Apply Secure Configurations to All System Components
Configuration standards are developed, implemented, and maintained to cover all system components, address all known security vulnerabilities, be consistent with industry-accepted system hardening standards or vendor hardening recommendations, be updated as new vulnerability issues are identified, and be applied when new systems are configured and verified as in place before or immediately after a system component is connected to a production environment
Shared
n/a
Examine system configuration standards to verify they define processes that include all elements specified in this requirement. Examine policies and procedures and interview personnel to verify that system configuration standards are updated as new vulnerability issues are identified, as defined in Requirement 6.3.1. Examine configuration settings and interview personnel to verify that system configuration standards are applied when new systems are configured and verified as being in place before or immediately after a system component is connected to a production environment
In observing paragraph 10.54, a financial institution should consider the following principles in its access control policy:
(a) adopt a 'deny all' access control policy for users by default unless explicitly authorised;
(b) employ 'least privilege' access rights or on a 'need-to-have' basis where only the minimum sufficient permissions are granted to legitimate users to perform their roles;
(c) employ time-bound access rights which restrict access to a specific period including access rights granted to service providers;
(d) employ segregation of incompatible functions where no single person is responsible for an entire operation that may provide the ability to independently modify, circumvent, and disable system security features. This may include a combination of functions such as:
(i) system development and technology operations;
(ii) security administration and system administration; and
(iii) network operation and network security;"
(e) employ dual control functions which require two or more persons to execute an activity;
(f) adopt stronger authentication for critical activities including for remote access;
(g) limit and control the use of the same user ID for multiple concurrent sessions;
(h) limit and control the sharing of user ID and passwords across multiple users; and
(i) control the use of generic user ID naming conventions in favour of more personally identifiable IDs.
Prevent or detect against unauthorized or malicious software
Shared
The customer is responsible for implementing this recommendation.
Restricts Application and Software Installation — The ability to install applications
and software is restricted to authorized individuals.
• Detects Unauthorized Changes to Software and Configuration Parameters — Processes are in place to detect changes to software and configuration parameters that
may be indicative of unauthorized or malicious software.
• Uses a Defined Change Control Process — A management-defined change control
process is used for the implementation of software.
• Uses Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software — Antivirus and anti-malware software
is implemented and maintained to provide for the interception or detection and remediation of malware.
• Scans Information Assets from Outside the Entity for Malware and Other Unauthorized Software — Procedures are in place to scan information assets that have been
transferred or returned to the entity’s custody for malware and other unauthorized
software and to remove any items detected prior to its implementation on the network.
The customer is responsible for implementing this recommendation.
Manages Changes Throughout the System Life Cycle — A process for managing
system changes throughout the life cycle of the system and its components (infrastructure, data, software, and procedures) is used to support system availability and
processing integrity.
• Authorizes Changes — A process is in place to authorize system changes prior to
development.
• Designs and Develops Changes — A process is in place to design and develop system changes.
• Documents Changes — A process is in place to document system changes to support ongoing maintenance of the system and to support system users in performing
their responsibilities.
• Tracks System Changes — A process is in place to track system changes prior to
implementation.
• Configures Software — A process is in place to select and implement the configuration parameters used to control the functionality of software.
• Tests System Changes — A process is in place to test system changes prior to implementation.
• Approves System Changes — A process is in place to approve system changes prior
to implementation.
• Deploys System Changes — A process is in place to implement system changes.
• Identifies and Evaluates System Changes — Objectives affected by system changes
are identified and the ability of the modified system to meet the objectives is evaluated throughout the system development life cycle.
• Identifies Changes in Infrastructure, Data, Software, and Procedures Required to
Remediate Incidents — Changes in infrastructure, data, software, and procedures
required to remediate incidents to continue to meet objectives are identified and the
change process is initiated upon identification.
• Creates Baseline Configuration of IT Technology — A baseline configuration of IT
and control systems is created and maintained.
• Provides for Changes Necessary in Emergency Situations — A process is in place
for authorizing, designing, testing, approving, and implementing changes necessary
in emergency situations (that is, changes that need to be implemented in an urgent
time frame).
Additional points of focus that apply only in an engagement using the trust services criteria for
confidentiality:
• Protects Confidential Information — The entity protects confidential information
during system design, development, testing, implementation, and change processes
to meet the entity’s objectives related to confidentiality.
Additional points of focus that apply only in an engagement using the trust services criteria for
privacy:
• Protects Personal Information — The entity protects personal information during
system design, development, testing, implementation, and change processes to meet
the entity’s objectives related to privacy.
Maintain alignment with organizational objectives and regulatory requirements.
Shared
n/a
Entity deploys control activities through policies that establish what is expected and in procedures that put policies into action by establishing Policies and Procedures to Support Deployment of Management’s Directives, Responsibility and Accountability for Executing Policies and Procedures, perform tasks in a timely manner, taking corrective actions, perform using competent personnel and reassess policies and procedures.
Effectively manage security incidents, minimize their impact, and protect assets, operations, and reputation.
Shared
n/a
The entity responds to identified security incidents by:
a. Executing a defined incident-response program to understand, contain, remediate, and communicate security incidents by assigning roles and responsibilities;
b. Establishing procedures to contain security incidents;
c. Mitigating ongoing security incidents, End Threats Posed by Security Incidents;
d. Restoring operations;
e. Developing and Implementing Communication Protocols for Security Incidents;
f. Obtains Understanding of Nature of Incident and Determines Containment Strategy;
g. Remediation Identified Vulnerabilities;
h. Communicating Remediation Activities; and,
i. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Incident Response and periodic incident evaluations.
Minimise risks, ensure quality, optimise efficiency, and enhance resilience in the face of change.
Shared
n/a
The entity authorizes, designs, develops or acquires, configures, documents, tests, approves, and implements changes to infrastructure, data, software, and procedures to meet its objectives by Managing Changes Throughout the System Life Cycle, authorizing changes, designing and developing changes, documenting all changes, tracking system changes, configuring software's, testing system changes, approving system changes, deploying system changes, identifying and evaluating system changes, creating baseline configurations for IT technologies and providing necessary changes in emergency situations.
1. Identify, document and actively manage (e.g. maintain security configurations, patching, updating according to good practice) the assets that need to be carefully configured to maintain the security of the essential function.
2. All platforms conform to secure, defined baseline build, or the latest known good configuration version for that environment.
3. Closely and effectively manage changes in the environment, ensuring that network and system configurations are secure and documented.
4. Regularly review and validate that your network and information systems have the expected, secure settings and configuration.
5. Only permitted software can be installed and standard users cannot change settings that would impact security or the business operation.
6. If automated decision-making technologies are in use, their operation is well understood, and decisions can be replicated.
Securely configure the network and information systems that support the operation of essential functions.