Title

Unsupported system software is installed and active on the system. (Cat I impact)

Discussion

When a vendor drops support of System Software, they no longer maintain security vulnerability patches to the software. Without vulnerability patches, it is impossible to verify that the system does not contain code which could violate the integrity of the operating system environment.

Check Content

This check applies to all products that meet the following criteria: - Uses authorized and restricted z/OS interfaces by utilizing Authorized Program Facility (APF) authorized modules or libraries. - Require access to system datasets or sensitive information or requires special or privileged authority to run. For the products in the above category refer to the Vendor’s support lifecycle information for current versions and releases. This information should be added to the Vulnerability Questions within the SRRAUDIT Dialog Management document for supported software products. Automated Analysis Refer to the following report produced by the z/OS Data Collection: - PDI(AAMV0012) If the software products currently running on the reviewed system are at a version greater than or equal to the products listed in the vendor’s Support Lifecycle information, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

For all products that meet the following criteria: - Uses authorized and restricted z/OS interfaces by utilizing Authorized Program Facility (APF) authorized modules or libraries. - Require access to system datasets or sensitive information or requires special or privileged authority to run. The ISSO will ensure that unsupported system software for the products in the above category is removed or upgraded prior to a vendor dropping support. Authorized software which is NO longer supported is a CAT I – vulnerability. The customer and site will be given 6 months to mitigate the risk, come up with a supported solution or obtain a formal letter approving such risk/software.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-8016r3_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-7545

Group Title: AAMV0012

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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