Written with contributions from Bryon Singh, Director of Security Operations, RailWorks Corporation
Safeguarding your software ecosystem is crucial, and ensuring only authorized libraries are used is like assembling a trusted team of superheroes. CIS Safeguard 2.6: Allowlist Authorized Libraries epitomizes the meticulous selection process of the Avengers’ roster in the Marvel Universe.
The Avengers' Assembly
Just as Nick Fury carefully selects each Avenger based on their abilities and trustworthiness, an allowlist ensures only vetted and trusted libraries are integrated into your software. This process prevents rogue code—much like preventing villains—from infiltrating your applications. By allowlisting authorized libraries, you're assembling a superhero team of reliable code components.
Selective Integration
The Avengers don't just let anyone join their ranks; each member must prove their worth. Similarly, before adding a library to your allowlist, it undergoes rigorous scrutiny to ensure it meets security and performance standards. This selective integration is vital to maintain a secure and efficient software environment.
Constant Monitoring
Even the Avengers need to adapt and grow. Similarly, your allowlist of libraries must be regularly updated to include new, trusted libraries while removing outdated or compromised ones. This continuous monitoring ensures that your software remains secure and up-to-date, much like the Avengers constantly upgrading their strategies and gear to tackle evolving threats.
CIS Safeguard 2.6: Allowlist Authorized Libraries involves limiting system access to only approved libraries, which can help prevent unauthorized or malicious code from executing. Here are some quick pros and cons:
Pros
- Enhanced Security: Prevents unauthorized or malicious libraries from running, reducing the risk of code injection and supply chain attacks
- Controlled Environment: Ensures only vetted, safe libraries are used, aligning with regulatory compliance and reducing vulnerabilities
- Better Monitoring: Simplifies tracking of library use, making it easier to detect suspicious activity
Cons
- Initial Setup Effort: Requires thorough initial inventory and setup, which can be time-consuming
- Potential for Disruption: Legitimate applications may break if required libraries aren’t on the allowlist, impacting productivity
- Ongoing Maintenance: Regular updates are needed to keep the allowlist accurate and effective, adding administrative overhead
Takeaway
Allowlisting libraries boosts security by restricting system access to safe code, but it requires diligent setup and maintenance to avoid workflow disruptions.
Resources
Here’s a link to the Software Asset Management Policy Template for CIS Control 2 provided free of charge from the fine folks at the Center for Internet Security:
Looking for even more detail? Here you go. If this still doesn’t satisfy your curiosity, DM me.
CIS Control 2 – Inventory and Control of Software Assets
Actively manage (inventory, track, and correct) all software (operating systems and applications) on the network so that only authorized software is installed and can execute, and that unauthorized and unmanaged software is found and prevented from installation or execution.
CIS Safeguard 2.6 - Allowlist Authorized Libraries
Use technical controls to ensure that only authorized software libraries, such as specific .dll, .ocx, and .so files, are allowed to load into a system process. Block unauthorized libraries from loading into a system process. Reassess bi-annually, or more frequently.