SI 7(12) Integrity Verification

---
name: "SI-7(12)_integrity-verification"
description: "Require that the integrity of the following user-installed software be verified prior to execution: [organization-defined]."
category: "input-validation"
version: "5.2.0"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - nist
  - sp800-53
  - rev5
  - si-7-12
  - si
  - enhancement
tech_stack:
  - aws
  - azure
  - gcp
  - linux
  - windows
cwe_ids:
  - CWE-20
chains_with:
  - SI-2
  - CM-11
prerequisites:
  - SI-7
severity_boost:
  SI-2: "Chain with SI-2 for comprehensive security coverage"
  CM-11: "Chain with CM-11 for comprehensive security coverage"
---

# SI-7(12) Integrity Verification

> **Enhancement of:** SI-7

## High-Level Description

**Family:** System and Information Integrity (SI)
**Framework:** NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Organizations verify the integrity of user-installed software prior to execution to reduce the likelihood of executing malicious code or programs that contains errors from unauthorized modifications. Organizations consider the source of the software, ensuring the software and updates come from authorized sources and/or sites, and the practicality of approaches to verifying software integrity, including the availability of trustworthy checksums from software developers and vendors.

## What to Check

- [ ] Verify SI-7(12) Integrity Verification is documented in SSP
- [ ] Confirm control is operating effectively
- [ ] Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SI-7(12)
- [ ] Verify enhancement builds upon base control SI-7

## How to Test

### Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SI-7(12) 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 integrity monitoring | `cloud_audit_monitoring`       |
| AWS CLI         | Review GuardDuty/Inspector | `aws guardduty list-detectors` |

## Remediation Guide

### Control Statement

Require that the integrity of the following user-installed software be verified prior to execution: [organization-defined].

### Implementation Guidance

Organizations verify the integrity of user-installed software prior to execution to reduce the likelihood of executing malicious code or programs that contains errors from unauthorized modifications. Organizations consider the source of the software, ensuring the software and updates come from authorized sources and/or sites, and the practicality of approaches to verifying software integrity, including the availability of trustworthy checksums from software developers and vendors.

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                                         | Severity | Impact                                      |
| ----------------------------------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| SI-7(12) Integrity Verification not implemented | High     | System and Information Integrity            |
| SI-7(12) partially implemented                  | Medium   | Incomplete System and Information Integrity |

## CWE Categories

| CWE ID | Title                     |
| ------ | ------------------------- |
| CWE-20 | Improper Input Validation |

## References

- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - SI-7(12)](https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cprt/catalog#/cprt/framework/version/SP_800_53_5_1_1/home?element=si-7.12)
- [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 (SI-2, CM-11) reviewed