NIST Special Publication 800-171 Revision 2

Date Published: January 28th, 2021

Withdrawn on May 14, 2024. Superseded by SP 800-171 Rev. 3

Author(s): Ron Ross (NIST), Victoria Pillitteri (NIST), Kelley Dempsey (NIST), Mark Riddle (NARA), Gary Guissanie (IDA)

Note: A Class Deviation is in effect as of May 2, 2024 (DEVIATION 2024O0013). The deviation clause requires contractors, who are subject to 252.204-7012, to comply with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-171 Revision 2, instead of the version of NIST SP 800-171 in effect at the time the solicitation is issued or as authorized by the contracting officer. Click Here

3.1.7 Prevent non-privileged users from executing privileged functions and capture the execution of such functions in audit logs.

Control Family: Access Control

Control Type: Derived

SPRS Value: 1

CMMC Level(s): AC.L2-3.1.7

Top Ten Failed Requirement: No

DIBCAC HIGH Failure Rate (OTS):

29th of 110

Referenced in:

DFARS 252.204-7012

Derived From: NIST SP 800-53r4

  • AC-6(9)

  • AC-6(10)

CSF v1.1:

  • PR.AC-4

NIST 800-171 Control 3.1.7 MITRE ATT&CK 14.1 Sunburst

NIST SP 800-171r2 Control 3.1.7 → MITRE ATT&CK 14.1

Mapping note: MITRE ATT&CK 14.1 techniques are derived through the NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 4 controls mapped to each NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 requirement.

Summary

  • Total mappings: 240
  • Families: 1
  • Outer ring: Technique ID + name
  • MITRE ATT&CK version: 14.1

Family counts

  • Least Privilege: 240 techniques

Usage notes

  • Click a family or technique to zoom in.
  • Click the center to zoom back out.
  • Hover to view technique details.

Discussion:

Privileged functions include establishing system accounts, performing system integrity checks, conducting patching operations, or administering cryptographic key management activities. Nonprivileged users are individuals that do not possess appropriate authorizations. Circumventing intrusion detection and prevention mechanisms or malicious code protection mechanisms are examples of privileged functions that require protection from non-privileged users. Note that this requirement represents a condition to be achieved by the definition of authorized privileges in 3.1.2.

Misuse of privileged functions, either intentionally or unintentionally by authorized users, or by unauthorized external entities that have compromised system accounts, is a serious and ongoing concern and can have significant adverse impacts on organizations. Logging the use of privileged functions is one way to detect such misuse, and in doing so, help mitigate the risk from insider threats and the advanced persistent threat.

Determining Statements (NIST SP 800-171Ar2)

Upon assessment, assessors must determine if-

3.1.7[a] privileged functions are defined.
3.1.7[b] non-privileged users are defined.
3.1.7[c] non-privileged users are prevented from executing privileged functions.
3.1.7[d] the execution of privileged functions is captured in audit logs.

Assessors are instructed to-

Examine: [SELECT FROM: Access control policy; procedures addressing least privilege; system security plan; system design documentation; list of privileged functions and associated user account assignments; system configuration settings and associated documentation; system audit logs and records; other relevant documents or records].

Interview: [SELECT FROM: Personnel with responsibilities for defining least privileges necessary to accomplish specified tasks; personnel with information security responsibilities; system developers].

Test: [SELECT FROM: Mechanisms implementing least privilege functions for non-privileged users; mechanisms auditing the execution of privileged functions].

FURTHER DISCUSSION

Non-privileged users should receive only those permissions required to perform their basic job functions. Privileged users are granted additional permissions because their jobs require them. Privileged functions typically involve the control, monitoring, or administration of the system and its security measures. When these special privileged functions are performed, the activity must be captured in an audit log, which can be used to identify abuse. Nonprivileged employees must not be granted permission to perform any of the functions of a privileged user. This requirement, AC.L2-3.1.7, manages non-privileged users by logging any attempts to execute privileged functions. AC.L2-3.1.7 leverages AU.L2-3.3.2, which ensures logging and traceability of user actions. AC.L2-3.1.7 also extends AC.L2-3.1.2, which defines a requirement to limit types of transactions and functions to those that authorized users are permitted to execute.

Example

Your organization handles CUI and has put security controls in place that prevent nonprivileged users from performing privileged activities [a,b,c]. However, a standard user was accidentally given elevated system administrator privileges. The organization has implemented an endpoint detection and response solution that provides visibility into the use of privileged activities. The monitoring system logs a security misconfiguration because the use of administrative privileges was performed by a user who was not known to have that ability. This allows you to correct the error [d].

Potential Assessment Considerations

  • Is it possible to identify who enabled privileges at any particular time [d]?

  • Are the privileged system functions documented (e.g., functions that involve the control, monitoring or administration of the system, including security functions and log management) [a]?

  • Do documented procedures describe the configuration of the system to ensure system roles do not grant non-privileged users the ability to execute privileged functions [c]?

  • Do procedures describe the configuration of all privileged functions in audit logs [d]?

ISO/IEC 27001:2013

No direct mapping

NIST SP 800-171r2 Control 3.1.7 → MITRE ATT&CK
MITRE ATT&CK v14.1

NIST SP 800-171r2 Control 3.1.7 → MITRE ATT&CK

Total Mappings

240
technique references

Families

1
Least Privilege

Control

3.1.7
AC.L2-3.1.7

Least Privilege 240 techniques

  • T1003OS Credential Dumping
  • T1003.001LSASS Memory
  • T1003.002Security Account Manager
  • T1003.003NTDS
  • T1003.004LSA Secrets
  • T1003.005Cached Domain Credentials
  • T1003.006DCSync
  • T1003.007Proc Filesystem
  • T1003.008/etc/passwd and /etc/shadow
  • T1005Data from Local System
  • T1021Remote Services
  • T1021.001Remote Desktop Protocol
  • T1021.002SMB/Windows Admin Shares
  • T1021.003Distributed Component Object Model
  • T1021.004SSH
  • T1021.005VNC
  • T1021.006Windows Remote Management
  • T1025Data from Removable Media
  • T1036Masquerading
  • T1036.003Rename System Utilities
  • T1036.005Match Legitimate Name or Location
  • T1041Exfiltration Over C2 Channel
  • T1047Windows Management Instrumentation
  • T1048Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol
  • T1048.002Exfiltration Over Asymmetric Encrypted Non-C2 Protocol
  • T1048.003Exfiltration Over Unencrypted/Obfuscated Non-C2 Protocol
  • T1052Exfiltration Over Physical Medium
  • T1052.001Exfiltration over USB
  • T1053Scheduled Task/Job
  • T1053.002At (Windows)
  • T1053.003Cron
  • T1053.005Scheduled Task
  • T1053.006Systemd Timers
  • T1053.007Container Orchestration Job
  • T1055Process Injection
  • T1055.001Dynamic-link Library Injection
  • T1055.002Portable Executable Injection
  • T1055.003Thread Execution Hijacking
  • T1055.004Asynchronous Procedure Call
  • T1055.005Thread Local Storage
  • T1055.008Ptrace System Calls
  • T1055.009Proc Memory
  • T1055.011Extra Window Memory Injection
  • T1055.012Process Hollowing
  • T1055.013Process Doppelgänging
  • T1055.014VDSO Hijacking
  • T1056.003Web Portal Capture
  • T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter
  • T1059.001PowerShell
  • T1059.002AppleScript
  • T1059.003Windows Command Shell
  • T1059.004Unix Shell
  • T1059.005Visual Basic
  • T1059.006Python
  • T1059.007JavaScript
  • T1059.008Network Device CLI
  • T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation
  • T1070Indicator Removal on Host
  • T1070.001Clear Windows Event Logs
  • T1070.002Clear Linux or Mac System Logs
  • T1070.003Clear Command History
  • T1070.007Clear Network Connection History and Configurations
  • T1070.008Clear Mailbox Data
  • T1070.009Clear Persistence
  • T1072Software Deployment Tools
  • T1078Valid Accounts
  • T1078.001Default Accounts
  • T1078.002Domain Accounts
  • T1078.003Local Accounts
  • T1078.004Cloud Accounts
  • T1087.004Cloud Account
  • T1091Replication Through Removable Media
  • T1098Account Manipulation
  • T1098.001Additional Cloud Credentials
  • T1098.002Exchange Email Delegate Permissions
  • T1098.003Add Office 365 Global Administrator Role
  • T1098.004SSH Authorized Keys
  • T1098.005Device Registration
  • T1106Native API
  • T1110Brute Force
  • T1110.001Password Guessing
  • T1110.002Password Cracking
  • T1110.003Password Spraying
  • T1110.004Credential Stuffing
  • T1112Modify Registry
  • T1133External Remote Services
  • T1134Access Token Manipulation
  • T1134.001Token Impersonation/Theft
  • T1134.002Create Process with Token
  • T1134.003Make and Impersonate Token
  • T1134.005SID-History Injection
  • T1136Create Account
  • T1136.001Local Account
  • T1136.002Domain Account
  • T1136.003Cloud Account
  • T1137Office Application Startup
  • T1137.001Office Template Macros
  • T1137.002Office Test
  • T1137.003Outlook Forms
  • T1137.004Outlook Home Page
  • T1137.005Outlook Rules
  • T1137.006Add-ins
  • T1176Browser Extensions
  • T1185Browser Session Hijacking
  • T1189Drive-by Compromise
  • T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application
  • T1197BITS Jobs
  • T1199Trusted Relationship
  • T1200Hardware Additions
  • T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
  • T1210Exploitation of Remote Services
  • T1211Exploitation for Defense Evasion
  • T1212Exploitation for Credential Access
  • T1213Data from Information Repositories
  • T1213.001Confluence
  • T1213.002Sharepoint
  • T1213.003Code Repositories
  • T1218Signed Binary Proxy Execution
  • T1218.007Msiexec
  • T1222File and Directory Permissions Modification
  • T1222.001Windows File and Directory Permissions Modification
  • T1222.002Linux and Mac File and Directory Permissions Modification
  • T1484Domain Policy Modification
  • T1485Data Destruction
  • T1486Data Encrypted for Impact
  • T1489Service Stop
  • T1490Inhibit System Recovery
  • T1491Defacement
  • T1491.001Internal Defacement
  • T1491.002External Defacement
  • T1495Firmware Corruption
  • T1505Server Software Component
  • T1505.002Transport Agent
  • T1505.003Web Shell
  • T1505.004IIS Components
  • T1505.005Terminal Services DLL
  • T1525Implant Internal Image
  • T1528Steal Application Access Token
  • T1530Data from Cloud Storage Object
  • T1537Transfer Data to Cloud Account
  • T1538Cloud Service Dashboard
  • T1539Steal Web Session Cookie
  • T1542Pre-OS Boot
  • T1542.001System Firmware
  • T1542.003Bootkit
  • T1542.004ROMMONkit
  • T1542.005TFTP Boot
  • T1543Create or Modify System Process
  • T1543.001Launch Agent
  • T1543.002Systemd Service
  • T1543.003Windows Service
  • T1543.004Launch Daemon
  • T1546.003Windows Management Instrumentation Event Subscription
  • T1546.004Unix Shell Configuration Modification
  • T1546.011Application Shimming
  • T1546.013PowerShell Profile
  • T1546.016Installer Packages
  • T1547.003Time Providers
  • T1547.004Winlogon Helper DLL
  • T1547.006Kernel Modules and Extensions
  • T1547.009Shortcut Modification
  • T1547.012Print Processors
  • T1547.013XDG Autostart Entries
  • T1548Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
  • T1548.002Bypass User Account Control
  • T1548.003Sudo and Sudo Caching
  • T1550Use Alternate Authentication Material
  • T1550.002Pass the Hash
  • T1550.003Pass the Ticket
  • T1552Unsecured Credentials
  • T1552.001Credentials In Files
  • T1552.002Credentials in Registry
  • T1552.006Group Policy Preferences
  • T1552.007Container API
  • T1553Subvert Trust Controls
  • T1553.003SIP and Trust Provider Hijacking
  • T1553.006Code Signing Policy Modification
  • T1556Modify Authentication Process
  • T1556.001Domain Controller Authentication
  • T1556.003Pluggable Authentication Modules
  • T1556.004Network Device Authentication
  • T1556.005Reversible Encryption
  • T1556.006Multi-Factor Authentication
  • T1556.007Hybrid Identity
  • T1558Steal or Forge Kerberos Tickets
  • T1558.001Golden Ticket
  • T1558.002Silver Ticket
  • T1558.003Kerberoasting
  • T1559Inter-Process Communication
  • T1559.001Component Object Model
  • T1559.002Dynamic Data Exchange
  • T1561Disk Wipe
  • T1561.001Disk Content Wipe
  • T1561.002Disk Structure Wipe
  • T1562Impair Defenses
  • T1562.001Disable or Modify Tools
  • T1562.002Disable Windows Event Logging
  • T1562.004Disable or Modify System Firewall
  • T1562.006Indicator Blocking
  • T1562.007Disable or Modify Cloud Firewall
  • T1562.008Disable Cloud Logs
  • T1562.009Safe Mode Boot
  • T1563Remote Service Session Hijacking
  • T1563.001SSH Hijacking
  • T1563.002RDP Hijacking
  • T1567Exfiltration Over Web Service
  • T1569System Services
  • T1569.001Launchctl
  • T1569.002Service Execution
  • T1574Hijack Execution Flow
  • T1574.004Dylib Hijacking
  • T1574.005Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
  • T1574.007Path Interception by PATH Environment Variable
  • T1574.008Path Interception by Search Order Hijacking
  • T1574.009Path Interception by Unquoted Path
  • T1574.010Services File Permissions Weakness
  • T1574.011Services Registry Permissions Weakness
  • T1574.012COR_PROFILER
  • T1578Modify Cloud Compute Infrastructure
  • T1578.001Create Snapshot
  • T1578.002Create Cloud Instance
  • T1578.003Delete Cloud Instance
  • T1580Cloud Infrastructure Discovery
  • T1599Network Boundary Bridging
  • T1599.001Network Address Translation Traversal
  • T1601Modify System Image
  • T1601.001Patch System Image
  • T1601.002Downgrade System Image
  • T1606Forge Web Credentials
  • T1606.001Web Cookies
  • T1606.002SAML Tokens
  • T1609Container Administration Command
  • T1610Deploy Container
  • T1611Escape to Host
  • T1612Build Image on Host
  • T1613Container and Resource Discovery
  • T1619Cloud Storage Object Discovery
  • T1621Multi-Factor Authentication Request Generation
  • T1647Plist File Modification
  • T1648Serverless Execution

Frameworks & Controls