The F5 BIG-IP appliance must be configured to use cryptographic algorithms approved by NSA to protect NSS for remote access to a classified network.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-266170	F5BI-AP-300159	SV-266170r1029558_rule		High

Description

Use of weak or untested encryption algorithms undermines the purposes of utilizing encryption to protect data. The VPN gateway must implement cryptographic modules adhering to the higher standards approved by the federal government since this provides assurance they have been tested and validated. NIST cryptographic algorithms are approved by NSA to protect NSS. Based on an analysis of the impact of quantum computing, cryptographic algorithms specified by CNSSP-15 and approved for use in products in the CSfC program have been changed to more stringent protocols and configured with increased bit sizes and other secure characteristics to protect against quantum computing threats. The Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite (CNSA Suite) replaces Suite B.

STIG	Date
F5 BIG-IP TMOS ALG Security Technical Implementation Guide	2025-06-09

Details

Check Text (C-70094r1023756_chk)

From the BIG-IP GUI:
1. Local Traffic.
2. Profiles.
3. SSL.
4. Client.
5. Click the name of the SSL Profile.
6. For "Ciphers", ensure only AES-256 or other cryptographic algorithms approved by NSA to protect NSS for remote access to a classified network are configured in compliance with CSNA/CNSSP-15.

If the BIG-IP appliance is not configured to use cryptographic algorithms approved by NSA to protect NSS for remote access to a classified network, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-69997r1023757_fix)

From the BIG-IP GUI:
1. Local Traffic.
2. Profiles.
3. SSL.
4. Client.
5. Click the name of the SSL Profile.
6. For "Ciphers", configure only AES-256 or other cryptographic algorithms approved by NSA to protect NSS for remote access to a classified network in compliance with CSNA/CNSSP-15.
7. Click "Update".