ma-3-5-execution-with-privilege

name	MA-3(5)_execution-with-privilege
description	Monitor the use of maintenance tools that execute with increased privilege.
category	configuration
version	5.2.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["nist","sp800-53","rev5","ma-3-5","ma","enhancement"]
tech_stack	["linux","windows"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	["AC-3","AC-6"]
prerequisites	["MA-3"]
severity_boost	{"AC-3":"Chain with AC-3 for comprehensive security coverage","AC-6":"Chain with AC-6 for comprehensive security coverage"}

MA-3(5) Execution with Privilege

Enhancement of: MA-3

High-Level Description

Family: Maintenance (MA) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Maintenance tools that execute with increased system privilege can result in unauthorized access to organizational information and assets that would otherwise be inaccessible.

What to Check

• Verify MA-3(5) Execution with Privilege is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for MA-3(5)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control MA-3

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for MA-3(5) 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
Manual Review	Documentation and interview-based	N/A

Remediation Guide

Control Statement

Monitor the use of maintenance tools that execute with increased privilege.

Implementation Guidance

Maintenance tools that execute with increased system privilege can result in unauthorized access to organizational information and assets that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Risk Assessment

Finding	Severity	Impact
MA-3(5) Execution with Privilege not implemented	Medium	Maintenance
MA-3(5) partially implemented	Low	Incomplete Maintenance