si-7-15-code-authentication

name	SI-7(15)_code-authentication
description	Implement cryptographic mechanisms to authenticate the following software or firmware components prior to installation: [organization-defined].
category	input-validation
version	5.2.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["nist","sp800-53","rev5","si-7-15","si","enhancement"]
tech_stack	["aws","azure","gcp","linux","windows"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-20"]
chains_with	["CM-5","SC-12","SC-13"]
prerequisites	["SI-7"]
severity_boost	{"CM-5":"Chain with CM-5 for comprehensive security coverage","SC-12":"Chain with SC-12 for comprehensive security coverage","SC-13":"Chain with SC-13 for comprehensive security coverage"}

SI-7(15) Code Authentication

Enhancement of: SI-7

High-Level Description

Family: System and Information Integrity (SI) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Cryptographic authentication includes verifying that software or firmware components have been digitally signed using certificates recognized and approved by organizations. Code signing is an effective method to protect against malicious code. Organizations that employ cryptographic mechanisms also consider cryptographic key management solutions.

What to Check

• Verify SI-7(15) Code Authentication is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SI-7(15)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control SI-7

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SI-7(15) 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 integrity monitoring	cloud_audit_monitoring
AWS CLI	Review GuardDuty/Inspector	aws guardduty list-detectors

Remediation Guide

Control Statement

Implement cryptographic mechanisms to authenticate the following software or firmware components prior to installation: [organization-defined].

Implementation Guidance

Cryptographic authentication includes verifying that software or firmware components have been digitally signed using certificates recognized and approved by organizations. Code signing is an effective method to protect against malicious code. Organizations that employ cryptographic mechanisms also consider cryptographic key management solutions.