id: "SC-11" title: "Trusted Path" family: "SC" family_name: "System and Communications Protection" sort_id: "sc-11" priority: "P1" implementation_level: "system" enhancements: - sc-11.1


Provide a {{ insert: param, sc-11_odp.01 }} isolated trusted communications path for communications between the user and the trusted components of the system; and

Permit users to invoke the trusted communications path for communications between the user and the following security functions of the system, including at a minimum, authentication and re-authentication: {{ insert: param, sc-11_odp.02 }}.

Guidance

Trusted paths are mechanisms by which users can communicate (using input devices such as keyboards) directly with the security functions of systems with the requisite assurance to support security policies. Trusted path mechanisms can only be activated by users or the security functions of organizational systems. User responses that occur via trusted paths are protected from modification by and disclosure to untrusted applications. Organizations employ trusted paths for trustworthy, high-assurance connections between security functions of systems and users, including during system logons. The original implementations of trusted paths employed an out-of-band signal to initiate the path, such as using the key, which does not transmit characters that can be spoofed. In later implementations, a key combination that could not be hijacked was used (e.g., the + + keys). Such key combinations, however, are platform-specific and may not provide a trusted path implementation in every case. The enforcement of trusted communications paths is provided by a specific implementation that meets the reference monitor concept.

Assessment Objective: a {{ insert: param, sc-11_odp.01 }} isolated trusted communication path is provided for communications between the user and the trusted components of the system;

Assessment Objective: users are permitted to invoke the trusted communication path for communications between the user and the {{ insert: param, sc-11_odp.02 }} of the system, including authentication and re-authentication, at a minimum.

System and communications protection policy

procedures addressing trusted communication paths

security plan

system design documentation

system configuration settings and associated documentation

assessment results from independent, testing organizations

system audit records

system security plan

other relevant documents or records

System/network administrators

organizational personnel with information security responsibilities

system developer

Mechanisms supporting and/or implementing trusted communication paths