O121-C2-016700 - Database data files containing sensitive information must be encrypted.

Information

Cryptography is only as strong as the encryption modules/algorithms employed to encrypt the data.

Use of weak or untested encryption algorithms undermines the purposes of utilizing encryption to protect data.

Data files that are not encrypted are vulnerable to theft. When data files are not encrypted they can be copied and opened on a separate system. The data can be compromised without the information owner's knowledge that the theft has even taken place.

Solution

Obtain and utilize native or third-party NIST-validated FIPS 140-2 or 140-3 compliant cryptography solution for the DBMS. Configure cryptographic functions to use FIPS 140 compliant algorithms and hashing functions.

The strength requirements are dependent upon data classification.

For unclassified data, where cryptography is required:
AES 128 for encryption
SHA 256 for hashing

NSA has established the suite B encryption requirements for protecting National Security Systems (NSS) as follows.
AES 128 for Secret
AES 256 for Top Secret
SHA 256 for Secret
SHA 384 for Top Secret

National Security System is defined as:
(OMB Circular A-130) Any telecommunications or information system operated by the United States Government, the function, operation, or use of which (1) involves intelligence activities; (2) involves cryptologic activities related to national security; (3) involves command and control of military forces; (4) involves equipment that is an integral part of a weapon or weapons system; or (5) is critical to the direct fulfillment of military or intelligence missions, but excluding any system that is to be used for routine administrative and business applications (including payroll, finance, logistics, and personnel management applications).

There is more information on this topic in the Oracle Database 12c Advanced Security Administrator's Guide, which may be found at https://docs.oracle.com/database/121/ASOAG/toc.htm. (Note, however, that because of changes in Oracle's licensing policy, it is no longer necessary to purchase Oracle Advanced Security to use network encryption and advanced authentication.)

FIPS documentation can be downloaded from https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/fips

Item Details

Audit Name: DISA STIG Oracle 12c v3r2 Database

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

Plugin: OracleDB

Control ID: 101da8b31970752963e124452d4fe4b21f35c8db18910a09d24be9baec18cb2a

Detections

Analytics

O121-C2-016700 - Database data files containing sensitive information must be encrypted.

Information

Solution

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Item Details