V-224733

Discussion

CICS is a transaction-processing product that provides programmers with the facilities to develop interactive applications. Improperly defined or controlled CICS userids (i.e., region, default, and terminal users) may provide an exposure and vulnerability within the CICS environment. This could result in the compromise of the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the CICS region, applications, and customer data.

Check Content

Refer to the following report produced by the z/OS Data Collection:

- EXAM.RPT(CICSPROC).

Refer to the following reports produced by the TSS Data Collection and Data Set and Resource Data Collection:

- TSSCMDS.RPT(@ACIDS).
- SENSITVE.RPT(WHOHOTRA).

Refer to the information gathered from the CICS Systems Programmer's Worksheet filled out from previous vulnerability ZCIC0010.

Ensure the following items are in effect for the CICS default ACID (i.e., DFLTUSER=default userid). If the following guidance is true, this is not a finding.

Not granted the TSS BYPASS privilege.
No access to interactive online facilities (e.g., TSO) other than CICS.
OPTIME parameter is set to 15 minutes.

A system's default time for terminal lockout or session termination may be lengthened to 30 minutes at the discretion of the ISSM. The ISSM will maintain the documentation for each system with a timeout adjusted beyond the 15-minute recommendation to explain the basis for this decision.

Restricted from accessing all data sets and resources with the following exceptions:

Non-restricted CICS transactions (e.g., CESF, CESN, 'good morning' transaction, etc.).
If applicable, resources necessary to operate in an intersystem communication (ISC) environment (i.e., LU6.1, LU6.2, and MRO).

Note: Refer to the IBM CICS Transaction Server Resource Definition Guide for latest and most accurate definition for the Default CICS User.
Note: Any exceptions to these guidelines must be approved by the site ISSO and documented in site security plan.