Title

The application server must implement cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modification of organization-defined information at rest on organization-defined information system components. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Information at rest refers to the state of information when it is located on a secondary storage device (e.g., disk drive, tape drive) within an application server. Alternative physical protection measures include protected distribution systems. In order to prevent unauthorized disclosure or modification of the information, application servers must protect data at rest by using cryptographic mechanisms. Selection of a cryptographic mechanism is based on the need to protect the integrity of organizational information. The strength of the mechanism is commensurate with the security category and/or classification of the information. Organizations have the flexibility to either encrypt all information on storage devices (i.e., full disk encryption) or encrypt specific data structures (e.g., files, records, or fields).

Check Content

Review application server documentation and configuration to determine if the application server implements cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modification of organization-defined information at rest on organization-defined information system components. If the application server does not implement cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modification, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the application server to implement cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modification of organization-defined information at rest on organization-defined information system components.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-204812r879799_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-204812

Group Title: SRG-APP-000428

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.