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z/OS Catalog Solutions for ACF2 Security Technical Implementation Guide - V7R2

  • Version/Release: V7R2
  • Published: 2025-09-23
  • Released: 2025-10-01
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This Security Technical Implementation Guide is published as a tool to improve the security of Department of Defense (DOD) information systems. The requirements are derived from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-53 and related documents. Comments or proposed revisions to this document should be sent via email to the following address: disa.stig_spt@mail.mil.
b
Catalog Solution Install datasets are not properly protected.
CM-5 - Medium - CCI-001499 - V-224272 - SV-224272r1141427_rule
RMF Control
CM-5
Severity
Medium
CCI
CCI-001499
Version
ZCSLA000
Vuln IDs
  • V-224272
  • V-16932
Rule IDs
  • SV-224272r1141427_rule
  • SV-19580
Catalog Solutions is a very powerful tool that can pose risks if not properly controlled. If security is not properly implemented, the users of the product could present data integrity exposures, bypass security for catalog datasets, other VSAM files, and aliases. Catalog Solutions Install datasets provide the capability to use privileged functions and/or have access to sensitive data. Failure to properly restrict access to their datasets could result in violating the integrity of the base product which could result in compromising the operating system or sensitive data.
Checks: C-25945r1141425_chk

Refer to the following report produced by the dataset and Resource Data Collection: - SENSITVE.RPT(CSLPROD). Automated Analysis Refer to the following report produced by the dataset and Resource Data Collection: - PDI(ZCSL0000). Verify that access to the Catalog Solutions Install datasets is properly restricted. If the following guidance is true, this is not a finding. The ACF2 dataset rules for the datasets restrict WRITE and/or greater access to only systems programming personnel. The ACF2 dataset rules for the datasets do not specify that all (i.e., failures and successes) WRITE and/or greater access will be logged.

Fix: F-25933r1141426_fix

The ISSO will ensure that WRITE and/or greater access to program product datasets is limited to systems programmers only, unless a letter justifying access is filed with the ISSO, and all WRITE and/or greater access is logged. The installing systems programmer will identify and document the product datasets, categorize them according to who will have WRITE and/or greater access, and if required, ensure that all WRITE and/or greater access is logged. The installing systems programmer will identify if any additional groups have UPDATE access for specific datasets, and once documented will work with the ISSO to ensure they are properly restricted to the ACP (Access Control Program) active on the system. The following commands are provided as a sample for implementing dataset controls: SET RULE $KEY(S2C) $PREFIX(SYS2) CSL.- UID(syspaudt) R(A) W(L) A(L) E(A) DATA(DEFAULT SYSPROG) $KEY(S3C) $PREFIX(SYS3) CSL.- UID(syspaudt) R(A) W(L) A(L) E(A) DATA(DEFAULT SYSPROG) Catalog Solution allows monitoring of the catalog environment to help identify and correct structural catalog problems before they create system outages. Catalog Solution is a valuable tool in planning for or implementing System Managed Storage, as well as ensuring daily system availability. Catalog Solution is a comprehensive facility for the management, maintenance, repair, and recovery of the MVS catalog environment that complements the IDC Access Method Services (IDCAMS) utility. Catalog Solution helps in the five key areas: Maintenance, Diagnostics, Reporting, Backup and Recovery, and SMF Management. Catalog Solution is a very powerful tool that can pose risks if not properly controlled. If security is not properly implemented, the users of the product could present data integrity exposures, bypass security for catalog datasets, other VSAM files, and aliases. As an authorized program, Catalog Solution bypasses many of the normal system security facilities - catalog and dataset passwords in particular. Improper use of Catalog Solution can result in nonsynchronized catalog, dataset, or VVDS record groups. Therefore, certain commands should not be made available to the user community. As delivered, Catalog Solution bypasses dataset security checking for VSAM datasets and BCS processing. Clearly there are risks associated and valid requirements exist to ensure full external security controls are properly implemented for the Catalog Solution product. Properly securing the use of various commands and features is crucial. All Catalog Solution functions should be reviewed for potential security exposures and to prevent unauthorized use. Some Catalog Solution functions allow for bypassing security controls and therefore must be restricted to systems programmers who perform in the specific role of Storage Management.

b
Catalog Solutions resources must be properly defined and protected.
AC-3 - Medium - CCI-000213 - V-224273 - SV-224273r1141430_rule
RMF Control
AC-3
Severity
Medium
CCI
CCI-000213
Version
ZCSLA020
Vuln IDs
  • V-224273
  • V-17947
Rule IDs
  • SV-224273r1141430_rule
  • SV-19621
Catalog Solutions can run with sensitive system privileges, and potentially can circumvent system controls. Failure to properly control access to product resources could result in the compromise of the operating system environment, and compromise the confidentiality of customer data. Many utilities assign resource controls that can be granted to systems programmers only in greater than read authority. Resources are also granted to certain non-systems personnel with read only authority.
Checks: C-25946r1141428_chk

Refer to the following report produced by the ACF2 Data Collection and dataset and Resource Data Collection: - SENSITVE.RPT(ZCSL0020). - ACF2CMDS.RPT(RESOURCE) - Alternate report. Automated Analysis Refer to the following report produced by the dataset and Resource Data Collection: - PDI(ZCSL0020). Verify that all Catalog Solutions resources and/or generic equivalents are properly protected according to the requirements specified in Catalog Solutions Resources table in the z/OS STIG Addendum. If the following guidance is true, this is not a finding. The ACF2 resources are defined with a default access of PREVENT. The ACF2 resource access authorizations restrict access to the appropriate personnel. The ACF2 resource logging is correctly specified.

Fix: F-25934r1141429_fix

The ISSO will work with the systems programmer to verify that the following are properly specified in the ACP. (Note: The resource type, resources, and/or resource prefixes identified below are examples of a possible installation. The actual resource type, resources, and/or resource prefixes are determined when the product is installed on a system through the product's installation guide and can be site specific.) Ensure that all Catalog Solutions resources and/or generic equivalent are properly protected according to the requirements specified in Catalog Solutions Resources table in the z/OS STIG Addendum. Use Catalog Solutions Resources table in the z/OS STIG Addendum. This table lists the resources, access requirements, and logging requirements for Catalogued Solutions. Ensure the following guidelines are followed: The ACF2 resources are defined with a default access of PREVENT. The ACF2 resource access authorizations restrict access to the appropriate personnel. The ACF2 resource logging is correctly specified. The following commands are provided as a sample for implementing resource controls: $KEY(hlq1) TYPE(FAC) hlq2.GLOBAL.DATASET UID(dasdaudt) LOG hlq2.GLOBAL.DATASET UID(dasbaudt) LOG hlq2.GLOBAL.DATASET UID(syspaudt) LOG hlq2.GLOBAL.DATASET UID(*) PREVENT - UID(*) PREVENT