CM 10 Software Usage Restrictions

---
name: "CM-10_software-usage-restrictions"
description: "Use software and associated documentation in accordance with contract agreements and copyright laws;"
category: "configuration"
version: "5.2.0"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - nist
  - sp800-53
  - rev5
  - cm-10
  - cm
tech_stack:
  - aws
  - azure
  - gcp
  - linux
  - windows
cwe_ids:
  - CWE-16
chains_with:
  - AC-17
  - AU-6
  - CM-7
  - CM-8
  - PM-30
  - SC-7
prerequisites: []
severity_boost:
  AC-17: "Chain with AC-17 for comprehensive security coverage"
  AU-6: "Chain with AU-6 for comprehensive security coverage"
  CM-7: "Chain with CM-7 for comprehensive security coverage"
---

# CM-10 Software Usage Restrictions

## High-Level Description

**Family:** Configuration Management (CM)
**Framework:** NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Software license tracking can be accomplished by manual or automated methods, depending on organizational needs. Examples of contract agreements include software license agreements and non-disclosure agreements.

## What to Check

- [ ] Verify CM-10 Software Usage Restrictions is documented in SSP
- [ ] Validate all 3 control requirements are implemented
- [ ] Confirm control is operating effectively
- [ ] Review evidence of continuous monitoring for CM-10

## How to Test

### Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for CM-10 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                                     |
| --------------- | ----------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| cloud-audit-mcp | Check configuration baselines | `cloud_audit_config`                      |
| AWS CLI         | Review Config rules           | `aws configservice describe-config-rules` |

## Remediation Guide

### Control Statement

Use software and associated documentation in accordance with contract agreements and copyright laws;
Track the use of software and associated documentation protected by quantity licenses to control copying and distribution; and
Control and document the use of peer-to-peer file sharing technology to ensure that this capability is not used for the unauthorized distribution, display, performance, or reproduction of copyrighted work.

### Implementation Guidance

Software license tracking can be accomplished by manual or automated methods, depending on organizational needs. Examples of contract agreements include software license agreements and non-disclosure agreements.

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                                           | Severity | Impact                              |
| ------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------- |
| CM-10 Software Usage Restrictions not implemented | Medium   | Configuration Management            |
| CM-10 partially implemented                       | Low      | Incomplete Configuration Management |

## CWE Categories

| CWE ID | Title         |
| ------ | ------------- |
| CWE-16 | Configuration |

## References

- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - CM-10](https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cprt/catalog#/cprt/framework/version/SP_800_53_5_1_1/home?element=cm-10)
- [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-17, AU-6, CM-7, CM-8, PM-30) reviewed