The operating system must prevent all software from executing at higher privilege levels than users executing the software.

From General Purpose Operating System SRG

Associated with: CCI-002233

SV-71493r1_rule The operating system must prevent all software from executing at higher privilege levels than users executing the software.

Vulnerability discussion

In certain situations, software applications/programs need to execute with elevated privileges to perform required functions. However, if the privileges required for execution are at a higher level than the privileges assigned to organizational users invoking such applications/programs, those users are indirectly provided with greater privileges than assigned by the organizations.Some programs and processes are required to operate at a higher privilege level and therefore should be excluded from the organization-defined software list after review.

Check content

Verify that the operating system prevents all software from executing at higher privilege levels than users executing the software. If it does not, this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure the operating system to prevent all software from executing at higher privilege levels than users executing the software.

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