Title

Applications must prevent encrypted data from bypassing content-checking mechanisms. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Information flow control regulates where information is allowed to travel within an information system and between information systems (as opposed to who is allowed to access the information) and without explicit regard to subsequent accesses to that information. Information flow enforcement mechanisms compare security attributes on all information (data content and data structure), source and destination objects, and respond appropriately (e.g., block, quarantine, alert administrator) when the mechanisms encounter information flows not explicitly allowed by the information flow policy. When data is encrypted, devices and software designed to examine data content so as to detect attacks or malicious code are unable to accomplish the task unless they are capable of unencrypting the data. Example includes decrypting email in order to scan attachments. Rationale for non-applicability: Mobile applications residing at the edge of a network decrypt all encrypted data intended for the user's consumption. In this context, there would never be a requirement to bypass content checking mechanisms on the device given the device is at the edge of the network. The MDM SRG addresses content checking requirement for mobile email systems.

Check Content

This requirement is NA for the MAPP SRG.

Fix Text

The requirement is NA. No fix is required.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-46530r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-35243

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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