+SA-08(02) Least Common Mechanism

SA-08(02) Least Common Mechanism

Control

Implement the security design principle of least common mechanism in [Assignement: systems or system components].

Discussion

The principle of least common mechanism states that the amount of mechanism common to more than one user and depended on by all users is minimized [POPEK74](#79453f84-26a4-4995-8257-d32d37aefea3) . Mechanism minimization implies that different components of a system refrain from using the same mechanism to access a system resource. Every shared mechanism (especially a mechanism involving shared variables) represents a potential information path between users and is designed with care to ensure that it does not unintentionally compromise security [SALTZER75](#c9495d6e-ef64-4090-8509-e58c3b9009ff) . Implementing the principle of least common mechanism helps to reduce the adverse consequences of sharing the system state among different programs. A single program that corrupts a shared state (including shared variables) has the potential to corrupt other programs that are dependent on the state. The principle of least common mechanism also supports the principle of simplicity of design and addresses the issue of covert storage channels [LAMPSON73](#d1cdab13-4218-400d-91a9-c3818dfa5ec8).

Assessment Objective

[Assignement: systems or system components] implement the security design principle of least common mechanism.

Assessment Method

Examine

System and services acquisition policy procedures addressing the security design principle of least common mechanism used in the specification, design, development, implementation, and modification of the system system design documentation security and privacy requirements and specifications for the system system security and privacy architecture system security plan other relevant documents or records

Interview

Organizational personnel with the responsibility for determining system security and privacy requirements organizational personnel with system specification, design, development, implementation, and modification responsibilities system developers organizational personnel with information security responsibilities

1. Übersicht

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 SA-08(02) Least Common Mechanism – Assessment Procedure