Security Requirements for 03.14.02 Malicious Code Protection
Designated locations include system entry and exit points which may include firewalls, remoteaccess servers, workstations, electronic mail servers, web servers, proxy servers, notebook computers, and mobile devices. Malicious code includes viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware. Malicious code can be encoded in various formats (e.g., UUENCODE, Unicode), contained within compressed or hidden files, or hidden in files using techniques such as steganography. Malicious code can be inserted into systems in a variety of ways including web accesses, electronic mail, electronic mail attachments, and portable storage devices. Malicious code insertions occur through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities.Malicious code protection mechanisms include anti-virus signature definitions and reputationbased technologies. A variety of technologies and methods exist to limit or eliminate the effects of malicious code. Pervasive configuration management and comprehensive software integrity controls may be effective in preventing execution of unauthorized code. In addition to commercial off-the-shelf software, malicious code may also be present in custom-built software. This could include logic bombs, back doors, and other types of cyber-attacks that could affect organizational missions/business functions. Traditional malicious code protection mechanisms cannot always detect such code. In these situations, organizations rely instead on other safeguards including secure coding practices, configuration management and control, trusted procurement processes, and monitoring practices to help ensure that software does not perform functions other than the functions intended.[SP 800-83] provides guidance on malware incident prevention.
Assessment GuidanceExamine 0/12
How an assessor determines this requirement is met. Source: CMMC Assessment Guide – Level 2, Version 2.13 (NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2).
Discussion
A designated location may be a network device such as a firewall or an end user’s computer.
Malicious code, which can be delivered by a range of means (e.g., email, removable media, or websites), includes the following:
virus – program designed to damage, steal information, change data, send email, show messages, or any combination of these things;
spyware – program designed to gather information about a person’s activity in secret when they click on a link, usually installed without the person knowing ;
trojan horse – type of malware made to look like legitimate software and used by cyber criminals to get access to a company’s systems; and
ransomware – type of malware that threatens to publish the victim’s data or perpetually block access to it unless a ransom is paid.
Use anti-malware tools to stop or lessen the impact of malicious code.
Examples
Assessment Methods
Not all of the evidence listed is required to meet this requirement — check the items your organization has collected.
- System or network administrators
- Personnel with information security responsibilities
- Personnel installing, configuring, and maintaining the system
- Personnel with responsibility for malicious code protection
- Personnel with configuration management responsibility
- Organizational processes for employing, updating, and configuring malicious code protection mechanisms
- Organizational process for addressing false positives and resulting potential impact
- Mechanisms supporting or implementing employing, updating, and configuring malicious code protection mechanisms
- Mechanisms supporting or implementing malicious code scanning and subsequent actions
Potential Assessment Considerations
- Are system components (e.g., workstations, servers, email gateways, mobile devices) for which malicious code protection must be provided identified and documented [a]?