Title

Network devices must use two or more authentication servers for the purpose of granting administrative access. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

The use of Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) affords the best methods for controlling user access, authorization levels, and activity logging. By enabling AAA on the routers in conjunction with an authentication server such as TACACS+ or RADIUS, the administrators can easily add or remove user accounts, add or remove command authorizations, and maintain a log of user activity. The use of an authentication server provides the capability to assign router administrators to tiered groups that contain their privilege level that is used for authorization of specific commands. For example, user mode would be authorized for all authenticated administrators while configuration or edit mode should only be granted to those administrators that are permitted to implement router configuration changes.

Check Content

Verify an authentication server is required to access the device and that there are two or more authentication servers defined. If the device is not configured for two separate authentication servers, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the device to use two separate authentication servers.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-16259r4_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-15432

Group Title: The device is not authenticated using a AAA server.

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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