| name | AC-4(4)_flow-control-of-encrypted-information |
| description | Prevent encrypted information from bypassing [organization-defined] by [organization-defined]. |
| category | authorization |
| version | 5.2.0 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["nist","sp800-53","rev5","ac-4-4","ac","enhancement"] |
| tech_stack | ["aws","azure","gcp","linux","windows"] |
| cwe_ids | ["CWE-284"] |
| chains_with | ["SI-4"] |
| prerequisites | ["AC-4"] |
| severity_boost | {"SI-4":"Chain with SI-4 for comprehensive security coverage"} |
AC-4(4) Flow Control of Encrypted Information
Enhancement of: AC-4
High-Level Description
Family: Access Control (AC)
Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
Flow control mechanisms include content checking, security policy filters, and data type identifiers. The term encryption is extended to cover encoded data not recognized by filtering mechanisms.
What to Check
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for AC-4(4) implementation details. Verify the organization has documented how this control is satisfied.
Step 2: Validate Implementation
# For cloud environments, use cloud-audit-mcp tools
# For on-premises, review system configurations directly
# Example: Check if account management policies exist
grep -r "account.management\|access.control" /etc/security/ 2>/dev/null
Step 3: Test Operating Effectiveness
Verify the control is actively functioning, not just documented. Check logs, configurations, and operational evidence.
Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Usage |
|---|
| cloud-audit-mcp | Check IAM policies and access controls | cloud_audit_iam_policies |
| hackbrowser-mcp | Test web application access controls | browser_auth_test |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Prevent encrypted information from bypassing [organization-defined] by [organization-defined].
Implementation Guidance
Flow control mechanisms include content checking, security policy filters, and data type identifiers. The term encryption is extended to cover encoded data not recognized by filtering mechanisms.
Risk Assessment
