Title

The VMM must prevent all software from executing at higher privilege levels than users executing the software. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

In certain situations, guest VMs, applications, and programs need to execute with elevated privileges to perform required functions. However, if the privileges required for execution are at a higher level than the privileges assigned to VMM users invoking such applications/programs, those users are indirectly provided with greater privileges than assigned by organizations. Some guest VMs, applications, programs, and processes are required to operate at a higher privilege level and therefore should be excluded from this restriction after review.

Check Content

Verify the VMM prevents all software from executing at higher privilege levels than users executing the software. If it does not, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the VMM to prevent all software from executing at higher privilege levels than users executing the software.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-207446r958730_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-207446

Group Title: SRG-OS-000326

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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