CA 3(6) Transfer Authorizations

---
name: "CA-3(6)_transfer-authorizations"
description: "Verify that individuals or systems transferring data between interconnecting systems have the requisite authorizations (i.e., write permissions or pri"
category: "configuration"
version: "5.2.0"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - nist
  - sp800-53
  - rev5
  - ca-3-6
  - ca
  - enhancement
tech_stack:
  - any
cwe_ids: []
chains_with:
  - AC-2
  - AC-3
  - AC-4
prerequisites:
  - CA-3
severity_boost:
  AC-2: "Chain with AC-2 for comprehensive security coverage"
  AC-3: "Chain with AC-3 for comprehensive security coverage"
  AC-4: "Chain with AC-4 for comprehensive security coverage"
---

# CA-3(6) Transfer Authorizations

> **Enhancement of:** CA-3

## High-Level Description

**Family:** Assessment, Authorization, and Monitoring (CA)
**Framework:** NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

To prevent unauthorized individuals and systems from making information transfers to protected systems, the protected system verifies—via independent means— whether the individual or system attempting to transfer information is authorized to do so. Verification of the authorization to transfer information also applies to control plane traffic (e.g., routing and DNS) and services (e.g., authenticated SMTP relays).

## What to Check

- [ ] Verify CA-3(6) Transfer Authorizations is documented in SSP
- [ ] Confirm control is operating effectively
- [ ] Review evidence of continuous monitoring for CA-3(6)
- [ ] Verify enhancement builds upon base control CA-3

## How to Test

### Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for CA-3(6) implementation details. Verify the organization has documented how this control is satisfied.

### Step 2: Validate Implementation

```
# For cloud environments, use cloud-audit-mcp tools
# For on-premises, review system configurations directly

# Example: Check if account management policies exist
grep -r "account.management\|access.control" /etc/security/ 2>/dev/null
```

### Step 3: Test Operating Effectiveness

Verify the control is actively functioning, not just documented. Check logs, configurations, and operational evidence.

## Tools

| Tool          | Purpose                           | Usage |
| ------------- | --------------------------------- | ----- |
| Manual Review | Documentation and interview-based | N/A   |

## Remediation Guide

### Control Statement

Verify that individuals or systems transferring data between interconnecting systems have the requisite authorizations (i.e., write permissions or privileges) prior to accepting such data.

### Implementation Guidance

To prevent unauthorized individuals and systems from making information transfers to protected systems, the protected system verifies—via independent means— whether the individual or system attempting to transfer information is authorized to do so. Verification of the authorization to transfer information also applies to control plane traffic (e.g., routing and DNS) and services (e.g., authenticated SMTP relays).

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                                         | Severity | Impact                                               |
| ----------------------------------------------- | -------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| CA-3(6) Transfer Authorizations not implemented | Medium   | Assessment, Authorization, and Monitoring            |
| CA-3(6) partially implemented                   | Low      | Incomplete Assessment, Authorization, and Monitoring |

## CWE Categories

| CWE ID | Title                 |
| ------ | --------------------- |
| N/A    | No direct CWE mapping |

## References

- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - CA-3(6)](https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cprt/catalog#/cprt/framework/version/SP_800_53_5_1_1/home?element=ca-3.6)
- [NIST SP 800-53A Rev 5 (Assessment Procedures)](https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/53/a/r5/final)
- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 Full Catalog](https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/53/r5/upd1/final)

## Checklist

- [ ] Control documented in SSP
- [ ] Implementation evidence collected
- [ ] Operating effectiveness validated
- [ ] Continuous monitoring in place
- [ ] Related controls (AC-2, AC-3, AC-4) reviewed