The MQ Appliance network device must synchronize internal information system clocks to the authoritative time source when the time difference is greater than the organization-defined time period.

From IBM MQ Appliance v9.0 NDM Security Technical Implementation Guide

Part of SRG-APP-000372-NDM-000297

Associated with: CCI-002046

SV-89671r1_rule The MQ Appliance network device must synchronize internal information system clocks to the authoritative time source when the time difference is greater than the organization-defined time period.

Vulnerability discussion

Inaccurate time stamps make it more difficult to correlate events and can lead to an inaccurate analysis. Determining the correct time a particular event occurred on a system is critical when conducting forensic analysis and investigating system events. Synchronizing internal information system clocks provides uniformity of time stamps for information systems with multiple system clocks and systems connected over a network. Organizations should consider setting time periods for different types of systems (e.g., financial, legal, or mission-critical systems). Organizations should also consider endpoints that may not have regular access to the authoritative time server (e.g., mobile, teleworking, and tactical endpoints). This requirement is related to the comparison done every 24 hours in CCI-001891 because a comparison must be done in order to determine the time difference. The organization-defined time period will depend on multiple factors, most notably the granularity of time stamps in audit logs. For example, if time stamps only show to the nearest second, there is no need to have accuracy of a tenth of a second in clocks.

Check content

Log on to the MQ Appliance WebGUI as a privileged user. On the Manage Appliance tab, select Network >> Interface/NTP Service. Verify: - NTP server destinations are configured; - The NTP servers are located in different geographic regions; and - Status (at the top of the page) is "up". If any is not true, this is a finding.

Fix text

Log on to the MQ Appliance WebGUI as a privileged user. Click on the Network icon (third from the top). Select "Interface/NTP Service". Click the "Add" button to add multiple NTP servers. Click "Enable administrative state". Click the "Apply" button. Add one or more additional NTP servers, at least one of which is from a different geographic region. The result should be: "Status:up" Click "Save configuration".

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