sc-23-session-authenticity

name	SC-23_session-authenticity
description	Protect the authenticity of communications sessions.
category	configuration
version	5.2.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["nist","sp800-53","rev5","sc-23","sc"]
tech_stack	["aws","azure","gcp","linux","windows","network"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-311"]
chains_with	["AU-10","SC-8","SC-10","SC-11"]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{"AU-10":"Chain with AU-10 for comprehensive security coverage","SC-8":"Chain with SC-8 for comprehensive security coverage","SC-10":"Chain with SC-10 for comprehensive security coverage"}

SC-23 Session Authenticity

High-Level Description

Family: System and Communications Protection (SC) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Protecting session authenticity addresses communications protection at the session level, not at the packet level. Such protection establishes grounds for confidence at both ends of communications sessions in the ongoing identities of other parties and the validity of transmitted information. Authenticity protection includes protecting against "man-in-the-middle" attacks, session hijacking, and the insertion of false information into sessions.

What to Check

• Verify SC-23 Session Authenticity is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SC-23

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SC-23 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 encryption and network controls	cloud_audit_encryption
nmap	Network scanning	nmap -sV --script ssl-enum-ciphers

Remediation Guide

Control Statement

Protect the authenticity of communications sessions.

Implementation Guidance

Protecting session authenticity addresses communications protection at the session level, not at the packet level. Such protection establishes grounds for confidence at both ends of communications sessions in the ongoing identities of other parties and the validity of transmitted information. Authenticity protection includes protecting against "man-in-the-middle" attacks, session hijacking, and the insertion of false information into sessions.