MA 4(5) Approvals And Notifications

---
name: "MA-4(5)_approvals-and-notifications"
description: "Require the approval of each nonlocal maintenance session by [organization-defined] ;"
category: "configuration"
version: "5.2.0"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - nist
  - sp800-53
  - rev5
  - ma-4-5
  - ma
  - enhancement
tech_stack:
  - linux
  - windows
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites:
  - MA-4
severity_boost: {}
---

# MA-4(5) Approvals and Notifications

> **Enhancement of:** MA-4

## High-Level Description

**Family:** Maintenance (MA)
**Framework:** NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Notification may be performed by maintenance personnel. Approval of nonlocal maintenance is accomplished by personnel with sufficient information security and system knowledge to determine the appropriateness of the proposed maintenance.

## What to Check

- [ ] Verify MA-4(5) Approvals and Notifications is documented in SSP
- [ ] Validate all 2 control requirements are implemented
- [ ] Confirm control is operating effectively
- [ ] Review evidence of continuous monitoring for MA-4(5)
- [ ] Verify enhancement builds upon base control MA-4

## How to Test

### Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for MA-4(5) 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

Require the approval of each nonlocal maintenance session by [organization-defined] ; and
Notify the following personnel or roles of the date and time of planned nonlocal maintenance: [organization-defined].

### Implementation Guidance

Notification may be performed by maintenance personnel. Approval of nonlocal maintenance is accomplished by personnel with sufficient information security and system knowledge to determine the appropriateness of the proposed maintenance.

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                                             | Severity | Impact                 |
| --------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ---------------------- |
| MA-4(5) Approvals and Notifications not implemented | Medium   | Maintenance            |
| MA-4(5) partially implemented                       | Low      | Incomplete Maintenance |

## CWE Categories

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

## References

- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - MA-4(5)](https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cprt/catalog#/cprt/framework/version/SP_800_53_5_1_1/home?element=ma-4.5)
- [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 (none) reviewed