+SC-31 Covert Channel Analysis
---+SC-31(01) Test Covert Channels for Exploitability
---+SC-31(02) Maximum Bandwidth
---+SC-31(03) Measure Bandwidth in Operational Environments

SC-31 Covert Channel Analysis

Control

  1. Perform a covert channel analysis to identify those aspects of communications within the system that are potential avenues for covert [Selection(one-or-more): storage; timing] channels; and
  2. Estimate the maximum bandwidth of those channels.

Discussion

Developers are in the best position to identify potential areas within systems that might lead to covert channels. Covert channel analysis is a meaningful activity when there is the potential for unauthorized information flows across security domains, such as in the case of systems that contain export-controlled information and have connections to external networks (i.e., networks that are not controlled by organizations). Covert channel analysis is also useful for multilevel secure systems, multiple security level systems, and cross-domain systems.

Assessment Objective

  1. a covert channel analysis is performed to identify those aspects of communications within the system that are potential avenues for covert [Selection(one-or-more): storage; timing] channels;
  2. the maximum bandwidth of those channels is estimated.

Assessment Method

Examine

System and communications protection policy procedures addressing covert channel analysis system design documentation system configuration settings and associated documentation covert channel analysis documentation system audit records system security plan other relevant documents or records

Interview

System/network administrators organizational personnel with information security responsibilities organizational personnel with covert channel analysis responsibilities system developers/integrators

1. Übersicht

SC-31(01) Test Covert Channels for Exploitability

Control

Test a subset of the identified covert channels to determine the channels that are exploitable.

Discussion

None.

Assessment Objective

a subset of the identified covert channels is tested to determine the channels that are exploitable.

Assessment Method

Examine

System and communications protection policy procedures addressing covert channel analysis system design documentation system configuration settings and associated documentation list of covert channels covert channel analysis documentation system audit records system security plan other relevant documents or records

Interview

System/network administrators organizational personnel with information security responsibilities organizational personnel with covert channel analysis responsibilities
SC-31(02) Maximum Bandwidth

Control

Reduce the maximum bandwidth for identified covert [Selection(one-or-more): storage; timing] channels to [Assignement: values].

Discussion

The complete elimination of covert channels, especially covert timing channels, is usually not possible without significant performance impacts.

Assessment Objective

the maximum bandwidth for identified covert [Selection(one-or-more): storage; timing] channels is reduced to [Assignement: values].

Assessment Method

Examine

System and communications protection policy procedures addressing covert channel analysis acquisition contracts for systems or services acquisition documentation system design documentation system configuration settings and associated documentation covert channel analysis documentation system audit records system security plan other relevant documents or records

Interview

System/network administrators organizational personnel with information security responsibilities organizational personnel with covert channel analysis responsibilities system developers/integrators
SC-31(03) Measure Bandwidth in Operational Environments

Control

Measure the bandwidth of [Assignement: subset of identified covert channels] in the operational environment of the system.

Discussion

Measuring covert channel bandwidth in specified operational environments helps organizations determine how much information can be covertly leaked before such leakage adversely affects mission or business functions. Covert channel bandwidth may be significantly different when measured in settings that are independent of the specific environments of operation, including laboratories or system development environments.

Assessment Objective

the bandwidth of [Assignement: subset of identified covert channels] is measured in the operational environment of the system.

Assessment Method

Examine

System and communications protection policy procedures addressing covert channel analysis system design documentation system configuration settings and associated documentation covert channel analysis documentation system audit records system security plan other relevant documents or records

Interview

System/network administrators organizational personnel with information security responsibilities organizational personnel with covert channel analysis responsibilities system developers/integrators

1.1 Referenzen

1.2 Identifizierte Anforderungen

1.3 Zugehörige Regulierungen

2. Identifizierte Anforderungen

Anforderungen

3. Zugehörige Regulierungen

Regulierungen

Verknüpfte Vorgänge

Verknüpfungen
is blocked by SC-31 Covert Channel Analysis – Assessment Procedure
is blocked by Covert Channel Analysis