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CFG-13: Open Source Software

CFG 9 — Critical Protect

Mechanisms exist to establish parameters for the secure use of open source software.

Renumbered: Formerly CFG-04.1 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization establish parameters for the secure use of open source software?

General (12)
Framework Mapping Values
GovRAMP CM-10(01)
GovRAMP Moderate CM-10(01)
GovRAMP High CM-10(01)
NIST AI 600-1 GV-6.2-002
NIST 800-53 R4 CM-10(1)
NIST 800-53 R5.2 CM-10(01)
NIST 800-82 R3 CM-10(01)
NIST 800-161 R1 CM-8(10) CM-10(1)
NIST 800-161 R1 Level 2 CM-10(1)
NIST 800-161 R1 Level 3 CM-8(10) CM-10(1)
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.13.13.b
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) A.03.13.13.a[02] A.03.13.13.b[03]
US (1)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal CMS MARS-E 2.0 CM-10(1) CM-10(1).a CM-10(1).b CM-10(1).c
EMEA (2)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Germany C5 2026 DEV-14.01B
EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 Article 16.2(f)
APAC (2)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 10.15(b)
APAC Singapore MAS TRM 2021 6.1.3
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.13.13.B

Capability Maturity Model

Level 0 — Not Performed

Practices are non-existent, based on the inability to demonstrate an implemented and operational capability. A reasonable person would conclude the control is not being performed.

Level 1 — Performed Informally

Configuration Management (CFG) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with CFG domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Configuration management-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices. ▪ Configurations mostly conform to industry-recognized standards for hardening (e.g., DISA STIGs, CIS Benchmarks or OEM security guides).

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

Configuration Management (CFG) capabilities are requirements-driven, but are not standardized across the entity (e.g., local/regional level consistency). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with CFG domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with CFG domain capabilities are documented and maintained by process owners. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel work with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with CFG domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Configuration management-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Configuration management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC) are used to configure Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) according to the principles of least functionality and least privilege, mostly conforming to industry-recognized standards for hardening (e.g., DISA STIGs, CIS Benchmarks or OEM security guides).

Level 3 — Well Defined

Configuration Management (CFG) capabilities are standardized across the entity for applicability to People, Processes, Technologies, Data and/or Facilities (PPTDF) to ensure consistency for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with CFG domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with CFG domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A configuration management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain CFG domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of configuration management operations (e.g., Configuration Management Database (CMBD) Asset Management solution). ▪ The entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, works with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with CFG domain capabilities to address Minimum Compliance Requirements (MCR) (e.g., applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements) and Discretionary Security Requirements (DSR) (e.g., entity-required controls). ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to establish parameters for the secure use of open source software.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Configuration Management (CFG) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Risk Indicators (KRIs). ▪ Scope of metrics, KPIs and KRIs covers organization-wide cybersecurity and data protection controls, including functions performed by third-parties. ▪ Organizational leadership maintains a formal process to objectively review and respond to metrics, KPIs and KRIs (e.g., monthly or quarterly review). ▪ Based on metrics analysis, process improvement recommendations are submitted for review and are handled in accordance with change control processes. ▪ Business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes to evolve capabilities.

Level 5 — Continuously Improving

Configuration Management (CFG) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ Based on predictive analysis, process improvements are implemented according to “continuous improvement” practices that affect process changes. ▪ Stakeholders make time-sensitive decisions to support operational efficiency, which may include automated remediation actions via Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) technologies.

Assessment Objectives

  1. CFG-13_A01 restrictions on the use of open-source software are defined.
  2. CFG-13_A02 organization-defined restrictions are established for the use of open-source software.

Evidence Requirements

E-AST-28 Software Licenses

Documented evidence of software license inventories.

Asset Management

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • whitelisting / blacklisting applications
  • Microsoft Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC)

Small

  • whitelisting / blacklisting applications
  • Microsoft Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC)

Medium

  • whitelisting / blacklisting applications
  • Microsoft Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC)
  • CimTrak Integrity Suite (https://cimcor.com/cimtrak)

Large

  • whitelisting / blacklisting applications
  • Microsoft Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC)
  • CimTrak Integrity Suite (https://cimcor.com/cimtrak)

Enterprise

  • whitelisting / blacklisting applications
  • Microsoft Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC)
  • CimTrak Integrity Suite (https://cimcor.com/cimtrak)

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