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AC-4(5) AC · Access Control

Embedded Data Types

LOW MODERATE HIGH
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Requirements NIST SOURCE

Enforce [limitations] on embedding data types within other data types.

Discussion (NIST Supplemental Guidance)

Embedding data types within other data types may result in reduced flow control effectiveness. Data type embedding includes inserting files as objects within other files and using compressed or archived data types that may include multiple embedded data types. Limitations on data type embedding consider the levels of embedding and prohibit levels of data type embedding that are beyond the capability of the inspection tools.

Implementation Guidance

Engineering Interpretation

Original engineering commentary written for this explorer — not NIST source text and not authoritative guidance.

No engineering interpretation has been authored for AC-4(5) yet. This section is architected to receive it — see the Requirements and Assessment sections above for the authoritative NIST source content in the meantime.

Assessment

NIST SP 800-53A REV 5.2.0

Assessment Objectives

  1. limitations on embedding data types within other data types are defined;
  2. <AC-04(05)_ODP limitations> are enforced on embedding data types within other data types.

Examine

[SELECT FROM: Access control policy; procedures addressing information flow enforcement; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; list of limitations to be enforced on embedding data types within other data types; system audit records; system security plan; other relevant documents or records].

Interview

[SELECT FROM: System/network administrators; organizational personnel with information security responsibilities; system developers].

Test

[SELECT FROM: Mechanisms implementing information flow enforcement policy].

Overlays

Showing the OT/ICS overlay for the parent control AC-4 — see the AC-4(5) entries within each baseline below.

OT/ICS Overlay SP 800-82r3

NIST SP 800-82r3 Appendix F, Table 22. Blank baseline means the control/control enhancement is not selected in that initial OT baseline.

LOW

Not applicable at this tier.

MODERATE

  • Base control: Included (matches standard baseline)

HIGH

  • Base control: Included (matches standard baseline)
  • Included: (4)

STIGs & CCIs

No STIG checks or CCI mappings are currently loaded for AC-4(5). This section is architected to display, per product: STIG ID, Finding ID, Severity, Title, Description, Check, Fix, CCI, and NIST control mapping — but nothing is populated here until a real DISA STIG/CCI dataset is ingested.

Learn more about STIG/CCI integration →

Evidence

Potential Evidence — Derived

Categorized from the SP 800-53A "Examine"/"Test" artifact list above by keyword — not an authoritative NIST evidence list.

Policy

  • Access control policy
  • system security plan

Configuration

  • system design documentation
  • system configuration settings and associated documentation

Testing

  • Mechanisms implementing information flow enforcement policy

Other Records

  • procedures addressing information flow enforcement
  • list of limitations to be enforced on embedding data types within other data types
  • system audit records
  • other relevant documents or records