| name | IA-13_identity-providers-and-authorization-servers |
| description | Employ identity providers and authorization servers to manage user, device, and non-person entity (NPE) identities, attributes, and access rights supp |
| category | authentication |
| version | 5.2.0 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["nist","sp800-53","rev5","ia-13","ia"] |
| tech_stack | ["aws","azure","active-directory","linux","windows"] |
| cwe_ids | ["CWE-287"] |
| chains_with | ["AC-3","IA-2","IA-3","IA-8","IA-9","IA-12"] |
| prerequisites | [] |
| severity_boost | {"AC-3":"Chain with AC-3 for comprehensive security coverage","IA-2":"Chain with IA-2 for comprehensive security coverage","IA-3":"Chain with IA-3 for comprehensive security coverage"} |
IA-13 Identity Providers and Authorization Servers
High-Level Description
Family: Identification and Authentication (IA)
Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
Identity providers, both internal and external to the organization, manage the user, device, and NPE authenticators and issue statements, often called identity assertions, attesting to identities of other systems or systems components. Authorization servers create and issue access tokens to identified and authenticated users and devices that can be used to gain access to system or information resources. For example, single sign-on (SSO) provides identity provider and authorization server functions. Authenticator management (to include credential management) is covered by IA-05.
What to Check
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for IA-13 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 authentication settings | cloud_audit_iam_policies |
| hackbrowser-mcp | Test authentication mechanisms | browser_auth_test |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Employ identity providers and authorization servers to manage user, device, and non-person entity (NPE) identities, attributes, and access rights supporting authentication and authorization decisions in accordance with [organization-defined] using [organization-defined].
Implementation Guidance
Identity providers, both internal and external to the organization, manage the user, device, and NPE authenticators and issue statements, often called identity assertions, attesting to identities of other systems or systems components. Authorization servers create and issue access tokens to identified and authenticated users and devices that can be used to gain access to system or information resources. For example, single sign-on (SSO) provides identity provider and authorization server functions. Authenticator management (to include credential management) is covered by IA-05.
