Table Of Contents
FIPS 140-2 Non-Proprietary Security Policy for the Cisco PIX 525/535 Security Appliance
Introduction
Submission Package
Overview
PIX Security Appliance Validation Level
Physical Characteristics and Module Interfaces
Roles and Services
Crypto Officer Services
User Services
Critical Security Parameters
Authentication Mechanisms
Cryptographic Key Management
Self-Tests
Mitigation of Other Attacks
Secure Operation
Crypto Officer Guidance - System Initialization
Crypto Officer Guidance - System Configuration
Approved Cryptographic Algorithms
Non-FIPS Approved Algorithms
Applying Tamper-Evident Labels
PIX 525
PIX 535
Related Documentation
Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request
Definitions
FIPS 140-2 Non-Proprietary Security Policy for the Cisco PIX 525/535 Security Appliance
Introduction
This is a non-proprietary Cryptographic Module Security Policy for the Cisco PIX 525 and PIX 535 security appliances, referred to in this document as PIX security appliances, devices, modules, or appliances. This security policy describes how the PIX security appliances meet the security requirements of FIPS 140-2 and how to run the devices in a FIPS 140-2 mode of operation.
This policy was prepared as part of the Level 1 FIPS 140-2 validation of the Cisco PIX 525 and PIX 535 security appliances.
FIPS 140-2 (Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 140-2 — Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules) details the U.S. Government requirements for cryptographic modules. More information about the FIPS 140-2 standard and validation program is available on the NIST website at http://csrc.nist.gov/cryptval/.
Note 
This document may be copied in its entirety and without modification. All copies must include the copyright notice and statements on the last page.
This document includes the following sections:
•Submission Package
•Overview
•PIX Security Appliance Validation Level
•Physical Characteristics and Module Interfaces
•Roles and Services
•Authentication Mechanisms
•Cryptographic Key Management
•Self-Tests
•Mitigation of Other Attacks
•Secure Operation
•Approved Cryptographic Algorithms
•Non-FIPS Approved Algorithms
•Applying Tamper-Evident Labels
•Related Documentation
•Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request
•Definitions
Submission Package
This security policy document is part of a complete FIPS 140-2 Submission Package. In addition to this document, the complete FIPS 140-2 Submission Package contains:
•Vendor Evidence
•Finite State Machine
•Other supporting documentation as additional references
With the exception of this Non-Proprietary Security Policy, the FIPS 140-2 Validation Documentation is proprietary to Cisco Systems, Inc. and is releasable only under appropriate non-disclosure agreements. For access to these documents, please contact Cisco Systems, Inc. See "Obtaining Technical Assistance" section on page 21 for more information.
Overview
The Cisco PIX security appliances deliver robust user and application policy enforcement, multi-vector attack protection, and secure connectivity services in cost-effective, easy-to-deploy solutions. Cisco PIX security appliances provide comprehensive security, performance, and reliability for network environments of all sizes.
These PIX security appliances provide multiple integrated security and networking services, including:
•Application-aware firewall services
•Voice over IP (VoIP) and multimedia security
•Robust site-to-site and remote-access IPSec VPN connectivity
•Resiliency
•Intelligent networking services
•Flexible management solutions
The Cisco PIX 525 and PIX 535 security appliances are validated with the VPN Acceleration Card+ (VAC+), to provide hardware-accelerated IP Security (IPSec) VPN support for international cryptographic standards and scalable VPN tunnel aggregation in a solution that comes integrated with, or as an upgrade for, most Cisco PIX security appliances. Ranging from solutions for small to midsize businesses (SMBs) to large enterprises and service providers, the Cisco PIX security appliances offer integrated network security services and investment protection. The Cisco PIX VAC+ offloads VPN cryptographic functionality from the PIX device, enabling the Cisco PIX security appliances to deliver stateful inspection firewall services, advanced application and protocol inspection, inline intrusion protection, and robust multimedia and voice security services.
PIX Security Appliance Validation Level
Table 1 lists the level of validation for each area in the FIPS 140-2 security policy.
Table 1 Validation Level by Section
No.
|
Area Title
|
Level
|
1
|
Cryptographic Module Specification
|
1
|
2
|
Cryptographic Module Ports and Interfaces
|
1
|
3
|
Roles, Services, and Authentication
|
2
|
4
|
Finite State Model
|
1
|
5
|
Physical Security
|
1
|
6
|
Operational Environment
|
N/A
|
7
|
Cryptographic Key management
|
1
|
8
|
Electromagnetic Interface/Electromagnetic Compatibility
|
1
|
9
|
Self-Tests
|
1
|
10
|
Design Assurance
|
2
|
11
|
Mitigation of Other Attacks
|
N/A
|
Physical Characteristics and Module Interfaces
The design of the Cisco PIX 525 and PIX 535 security appliances supports a combination of 10/100 Fast Ethernet interfaces and Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, with a redundant power supply on PIX 535.
Each PIX security appliance is a multi-chip standalone device. The cryptographic boundary is defined as encompassing the "top," "front," "left," "right," and "bottom" surfaces of the case, as well as the "backplane" of the case not supporting a removable interface or service card, and the inverse of the three-dimensional space within the case that would otherwise be occupied by an installed service card. The cryptographic boundary includes the connection apparatus between the service card and the motherboard/daughterboard that hosts the service card, but the boundary does not include the service card itself (except when a VAC+ is inserted into an available PIX Circuit Board Interface). In other words, the cryptographic boundary encompasses all hardware components within the case of the device except any installed modular service card (except when a VAC+ is inserted into an available PIX Circuit Board Interface).
Each PIX security appliance provides a number of physical and logical interfaces to the device, and the physical interfaces provided by the device are mapped to four FIPS 140-2 defined logical interfaces: data input, data output, control input, and status output.
The logical interfaces and their mapping are described in Table 2 and in Table 3:
Table 2 Cisco 525 Physical Interface/Logical Interface Mapping
Physical Interface
|
FIPS 140-2 Logical Interface
|
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1
Circuit Board Interfaces 0-2
Console Port
|
Data Input Interface
|
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1
Circuit Board Interfaces 0-2
Console Port
|
Data Output Interface
|
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1
Circuit Board Interfaces 0-2
Power Switch
Console Port
|
Control Input Interface
|
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0 100Mbps LED
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0 ACT LED
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0 LINK LED
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1 100Mbps LED
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1 ACT LED
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1 LINK LED
Circuit Board Interfaces 0-2
Power LED
System Activity LED
Console Port
|
Status Output Interface
|
Main Power Plug
|
Power Interface
|
USB Port
Serial Failover Interface
|
Unused Interface
|
Table 3 Cisco 535 Physical Interface/Logical Interface Mapping
Physical Interface
|
FIPS 140-2 Logical Interface
|
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1
Circuit Board Interfaces 0-8
Console Port
|
Data Input Interface
|
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1
Circuit Board Interfaces 0-8
Console Port
|
Data Output Interface
|
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1
Circuit Board Interfaces 0-8
Power Switch
Console Port
|
Control Input Interface
|
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0 100Mbps LED
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0 ACT LED
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 0 LINK LED
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1 100Mbps LED
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1 ACT LED
10/100BaseTX Ethernet 1 LINK LED
Circuit Board Interfaces 0-8
Console Port
|
Status Output Interface
|
Power Plug(s)
|
Power Interface
|
USB Port
Serial Failover Interface
|
Unused Interface
|
Roles and Services
The device can be accessed in one of the following ways.
•Console Port
•Telnet over IPSec
•SSH
•ASDM via HTTPS/TLS
As required by FIPS 140-2, there are two main roles in the PIX security appliance that operators may assume: a crypto officer role and user role. The PIX security appliance supports role-based authentication, and the respective services for each role are described in the "Crypto Officer Services" section, and the "User Services" section.
Crypto Officer Services
The crypto officer role is responsible for the configuration and maintenance of the PIX security appliance and authenticates from the enable command (for local authentication) or the login command (for AAA authentication) from the user services. The crypto officer services consist of the following:
•Configure the Device—Define network interfaces and settings; set the protocols the PIX security appliance will support; enable interfaces and network services; set system date and time; load authentication information; and configure authentication servers, filters and access lists for interfaces and users, and privileges
•Define Rules and Filters—Create packet filters that are applied to user data streams on each interface. Each filter consists of a set of rules, which define a set of packets to permit or deny based on characteristics such as protocol ID, addresses, ports, TCP connection establishment, or packet direction.
•View Status—View the configuration, routing tables, active sessions, use gets to view SNMP MIB statistics, health, temperature, memory status, packet statistics, review accounting logs, and view physical interface status.
•Manage the Device—Log off users, shutdown or reload the PIX security appliance, view complete configurations, view full status, manage user rights, and restore configurations.
•Set Encryption/Bypass—Set up the configuration tables for IP tunneling, set keys and algorithms to be used for each IP range or allow plaintext packets to be sent from specified IP address.
•Install Service Card— Remove tamper-evident seals to install or replace service cards.
User Services
Basic encryption and decryption services are performed by the User role. A user enters the system by accessing the console port with a terminal program or via IPSec protected telnet or SSH session to a LAN port. The PIX security appliance will prompt the user for their password. If the password is correct, the user is allowed entry to the executive program. The services available to the user role consist of:
•Status Functions—Image version currently running, installed hardware components, and version of hardware installed
•Network Functions—Initiate diagnostic network services, such as ping
•Directory Services—Display directory of files kept in Flash memory
Critical Security Parameters
The services accessing the Critical Security Parameters (CSPs), the type of access and which role accesses the CSPs are listed in the Table 4.
Table 4 Role and Service Access to Security Relevant Data Items
r = read w = write d = delete
Authentication Mechanisms
The PIX security appliance supports either a password or digital certificates for authenticating IPSec users. To log on to the PIX security appliance for management purposes, an operator must connect to it through one of the management interfaces (Console Port, SSH, Telnet, or ASDM) and provide a password.
Table 5 describes the estimated strength of the authentication mechanism.
Table 5 Estimated Strength of Authentication Mechanism
Authentication Type
|
Strength
|
Username Password mechanism
|
Passwords must be a minimum of 6 characters (see the "Secure Operation" section). The probability of a false positive for a random password guess is less than 1 in 1,000,000. This is also valid for RADIUS or TACACS+ shared secret keys.
The password can consist of alphanumeric values, a-zA-Z0-9, yielding 62 choices per character. The probability of a successful random attempt is 1/62^6, which is less than 1/1,000,000.
|
Certificate based authentication
|
The PIX security appliance supports a public key based authentication with 1024 and 2048 (for RSA) bit keys, and thus the probability of a false positive from a random correct guess is less than 1 in 1,000,000.
A 1024-bit RSA key has at least 80-bits of equivalent strength. The probability of a successful random attempt is 1/2^80, is less than 1/1,000,000.
A 2048-bit RSA key has at least 112-bits of equivalent strength. The probability of a successful random attempt is 1/2^112, is less than 1/1,000,000.
|
Cryptographic Key Management
The PIX security appliances use a variety of critical security parameters during operation.
Table 6 lists the critical security parameters used by the PIX security appliance.
Table 6 Critical Security Parameters Used by the PIX Security Appliance
#
|
Key/CSP Name
|
Generation/
Algorithm
|
Description
|
Storage
|
Zeroization
|
1
|
RSA public/private keys
|
ANSI X9.31/RSA
|
Identity certificates for the PIX security appliance itself and also used in IPSec, TLS, and SSH negotiations. While the PIX security appliance supports 512, 768, 1024 and 2048 bit RSA key sizes; 512 and 768 bit RSA keys shall not be used in FIPS mode. 1536 bit keys are not supported.
|
Private Key—NVRAM (plain text) and RAM (plain text)
Public Key—NVRAM (plain text) and RAM (plain text)
|
Private Key—crypto key zeroize, write to startup config, then reboot.
Public Key—delete trustpoint from configuration, write to startup config, then reboot.
|
2
|
DSA public/private keys
|
ANSI X9.31/DSA
|
Identity certificates for the PIX security appliance itself and also used in IPSec negotiations. The PIX security appliance supports 512, 768, 1024 and 2048 bit key sizes.
|
Private Key—NVRAM (plain text) and RAM (plain text)
Public Key— NVRAM (plain text) and RAM (plain text)
|
Private Key—crypto key zeroize, write to startup config, then reboot.
Public Key—delete trustpoint from configuration, write to startup config, then reboot.
|
3
|
Diffie-Hellman Key Pairs
|
ANSI X9.31 / DH
|
Key agreement for IKE, TLS, and SSH sessions. DH groups 1 (768 bits of keying strength), 2 (1024 bits), 5 (1536 bits), and 7 (2048 bits) are supported.
|
RAM (plain text)
|
Resetting or rebooting the PIX security appliance.
|
4
|
Public keys
|
DSA / RSA
|
Public keys of peers
|
RAM (plain text)
|
Resetting or rebooting the PIX security appliance.
|
5
|
TLS Traffic Keys
|
Generated using the TLS protocol (X9.31PRNG + HMAC-SHA1 + HMAC-MD5 + either DH or RSA)
Algorithm: Also Triple DES & AES
|
Used in HTTPS connections
|
RAM (plain text)
|
Resetting or rebooting the PIX security appliance.
|
6
|
SSH Session Keys
|
ANSI X9.31 / Triple DES-AES
|
SSH keys
|
RAM (plain text)
|
Resetting or rebooting the PIX security appliance.
|
7
|
IPSec authentication keys
|
ANSI X9.31 / Triple DES-AES / DH
|
Exchanged using the IKE protocol and the public/private key pairs. These are Triple DES or AES keys.
|
RAM (plain text)
|
Resetting or rebooting the PIX security appliance.
|
8
|
IPSec traffic keys
|
ANSI X9.31 / Triple DES-AES / DH
|
Exchanged using the IKE protocol and the public/private key pairs. These are Triple DES or AES keys.
|
RAM (plain text)
|
Resetting or rebooting the PIX security appliance.
|
9
|
IKE preshared keys
|
Shared Secret
|
Entered by the crypto officer in plain text form and used for authentication during IKE
|
NVRAM (plain text) and RAM (plain text)
|
Overwrite keys with new keys, or delete keys from the configuration via the erase flash: command. Write to startup configuration, then reboot.
|
10
|
IKE Authentication key
|
Generated using IKE (X9.31+HMAC-
SHA1+DH). Algorithms: Triple DES, AES, SHA-1
|
Used to encrypt and authenticate IKE negotiations
|
RAM (plain text)
|
Resetting or rebooting the PIX security appliance.
|
11
|
IKE Encryption Key
|
Generated using IKE (X9.31+HMAC-
SHA1+DH). Algorithms: Triple DES, AES, SHA-1
|
Used to encrypt IKE negotiations
|
RAM (plain text)
|
Resetting or rebooting the PIX security appliance.
|
12
|
RADIUS and TACACS+ shared secret keys
|
Shared Secret
|
Used for authenticating the RADIUS or TACACS+ server to the PIX security appliance and vice versa. Entered by the crypto officer in plain text form and stored in plain text form.
|
NVRAM (plain text) and RAM (plain text)
|
Overwrite keys with new keys, or delete keys from the configuration via the erase flash: command. Write to startup configuration, then reboot.
|
13
|
Usernames/
Passwords
|
Secret
|
Critical security parameters used to authenticate the user/crypto officer login.
|
NVRAM (plain text) and RAM (plain text)
|
Overwriting the passwords with new ones, write to startup config, then reboot.
|
14
|
Certificates of Certificate Authorities (CAs)
|
ANSI X9.31
|
This is a public key certificate, using signatures from a certificate authority (CA), to verify certificates issued by the CA. Install the CA certificate prior to installing subordinate certificates.
|
NVRAM (plain text) and RAM (plain text)
|
Delete trustpoint from configuration via erase flash: command, write to startup config, then reboot.
|
15
|
PRNG Seed Key
|
Entropy
|
Seed key for X9.31 PRNG. Entropy is 192 bits (Triple-DES key length).
|
RAM (plain text)
|
Zeroized with generation of new seed.
|
16
|
Failover Key
|
Pre-shared secret
|
Used to encrypt and authenticate LAN-based failover.
|
NVRAM (plain text) and RAM (plain text)
|
Overwrite keys with new keys, or delete keys from the configuration via the erase flash: command. Write to startup configuration, then reboot.
|
Self-Tests
The PIX security appliances include an array of self-tests that are run during startup and periodically during operations to prevent any secure data from being released and to ensure all components are functioning correctly.
Table 7 lists the PIX security appliance power-on self-tests.
Table 7 Security Appliance Power-On Self-Tests
Implementation
|
Tests Performed
|
PIX security appliance software
|
•Software/firmware test
•Bypass test
•DSA KAT (signature/verification)
•RSA KAT (signature/verification)
•RSA KAT (encrypt/decrypt)
•AES KAT
•Triple DES KAT
•SHA-1 KAT
•HMAC SHA-1 KAT
•PRNG KAT
|
VAC+ (Broadcom 5823)
|
•DSA KAT (verification)
•RSA KAT (signature/verification)
•RSA KAT (encrypt/decrypt)
•AES KAT
•Triple DES KAT
•SHA-1 KAT
•HMAC SHA-1 KAT
|
The PIX security appliances perform all power-on self-tests automatically at boot-up when FIPS mode is enabled. All power-on self-tests must be passed before a user/crypto officer can perform services. The power-on self-tests are performed after the cryptographic systems are initialized but prior to the initialization of the LANs; this prevents the device from passing any data during a power-on self-test failure. In the unlikely event that a power-on self-test fails, an error message is displayed on the console followed by a system reboot.
Table 8 lists the conditional self-tests that the PIX security appliance performs.
Table 8 PIX Security Appliance Conditional Self-Tests
Implementation
|
Tests Performed
|
PIX security appliance software
|
•Pairwise key consistency test for RSA
•Pairwise key consistency test for DSA
•Continuous Random Number Generator Test for all RNGs
•Conditional Bypass test
|
VAC+ (Broadcom 5823)
|
•Pairwise key consistency test for DSA
|
Mitigation of Other Attacks
The PIX security appliances do not claim to mitigate any attacks in a FIPS-approved mode of operation above and beyond the protection inherently provided by the PIX security appliance.
Secure Operation
The Cisco PIX 525 and PIX 535 security appliances meet FIPS 140-2 Level 1 requirements.
This section describes how to place and keep the PIX security appliance in a FIPS-approved mode of operation. Operating the PIX security appliance without maintaining the settings described in the "Crypto Officer Guidance - System Initialization" section and "Crypto Officer Guidance - System Configuration" section will remove the PIX security appliance from the FIPS-approved mode of operation.
The Crypto Officer must ensure that the PC that is used for the console connection is a stand-alone or a non-networked PC.
Crypto Officer Guidance - System Initialization
The PIX security appliances were validated with software version 7.0.4. This is the only allowable image for FIPS-approved mode of operation.
Initialize the system using the procedure below:
Step 1 Ensure the security context mode is set to single mode.
Step 2 Ensure the firewall mode is set to routed.
(config)#no firewall transparent
Step 3 Disable the console output of system crash information.
(config)#crashinfo console disable
Step 4 Enable "FIPS Mode" to allow the device to internally enforce FIPS-compliant behavior, such as running power-on self tests and bypass test.
Step 5 Install Triple DES/AES licenses to require the device to use Triple DES and AES (for data traffic and SSH). (See http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/vpndevc/ps2030/products_data_sheet09186a00800b0d85.html for additional information on PIX licenses.)
Step 6 Disable password recovery.
(config)#no service password-recovery
Step 7 Set the configuration register to bypass ROMMON prompt at boot.
(config)#config-register 0x10011
Step 8 If failover is to be enabled, define the failover key to ensure encryption of the link to redundant devices prior to enabling failover.
(config)#failover key hex <key>
Note Failover is not required for FIPS mode of operation. Only LAN-based failover is allowed for FIPS mode of operation; serial link failover is not allowed in FIPS mode of operation. Failover must not be configured over the lowest-numbered interface, such as Ethernet 0; ports Ethernet 1 or above should be used. If the lowest-numbered interface is already implemented as the failover interface, the crypto officer should take the following action:
- Before upgrading to V7.0.4, copy the configuration to a location off the device
- Use a text editor to modify the interface configuration
- Change the failover cables to the specified failover interface
- Upgrade to V7.0.4 and reload the modified configuration
Step 9 Enable AAA authorization for the console.
(config-terminal)#aaa authentication serial console LOCAL
(config-terminal)#username <name> password <password>
Step 10 Enable AAA authorization for SSH and Telnet.
(config-terminal)#aaa authentication ssh console LOCAL
(config-terminal)#aaa authentication telnet console LOCAL
Step 11 Enable AAA authorization for Enable mode.
(config-terminal)#aaa authentication enable console LOCAL
Step 12 Specify Privilege Level 15 for crypto officer and Privilege Level 1 for user and set up username/password for each role.
(config-terminal)#username <name> password <password> privilege 15
(config-terminal)#username <name> password <password> privilege 1
Step 13 Ensure passwords are at least 6 characters long. Replace all default passwords, such as enable and telnet with new passwords.
Step 14 Install one VAC+ in any available Circuit Board Interface of the PIX security appliance, if one is not already installed.
Note The crypto officer may install any service cards that only provide a physical interface, such as PIX-1FE, PIX-1GE-66, PIX-4FE-66.The PIX security appliances are validated only with the VPN Acceleration Card PLUS (VAC+) for cryptographic acceleration; the legacy VAC is not supported in FIPS approved mode of operation.
Step 15 Apply tamper-evident labels as described in the "Applying Tamper-Evident Labels" section.
Step 16 Reboot the PIX security appliance.
Crypto Officer Guidance - System Configuration
Configure the system using the following procedure:
Step 1 Assign users a Privilege Level of 1.
Step 2 Define RADIUS and TACACS+ shared secret keys that are at least 6 characters long and secure all traffic between the PIX security appliance and the RADIUS/TACACS+ server via IPSec tunnel.
Note Use only if RADIUS/TACACS+ is configured.
Step 3 Configure the TLS protocol for key derivation using HTTPS to protect administrative functions. Due to known issues relating to the use of TLS with certain versions of the Java plugin, we recommend that the customer upgrade to JRE 1.5.0_05 or later. Use the following settings when launching ASDM in a TLS-only environment with JRE 1.5.0_05:
•Configure the device to allow only TLSv1 packets.
(config)# ssl server-version tlsv1-only
•Uncheck SSL Version 2.0 in both the web browser and JRE security settings.
•Check TLS V1.0 in both the web browser and JRE security settings.
Step 4 Configure the PIX security appliance to use SSHv2.
Note All operators must still authenticate after remote access is granted.
Step 5 Configure the PIX security appliance to assure that any remote connections via Telnet are secured through IPSec.
Step 6 Configure the PIX security appliance to assure that only FIPS-approved algorithms are used for IPSec tunnels.
Step 7 Configure the PIX security appliance to assure that error messages can only be viewed by an authenticated crypto officer.
Step 8 Configure SNMP to always use a secure IPSec tunnel.
Step 9 Disable the TFTP server and disable the HTTP server from performing system management.
Step 10 Assure that installed digital certificates are signed using FIPS approved algorithms.
Step 11 Assure that 512-bit and 768-bit RSA keys are not used.
Step 12 Assure that the DSA algorithm uses at least a 512-bit modulus.
Approved Cryptographic Algorithms
The PIX security appliances support many different cryptographic algorithms. However, only the following FIPS-approved algorithms may be used:
•AES encryption/decryption
•Triple DES encryption/decryption
•SHA-1 hashing
•SHA-1 HMAC for hashed message authentication
•RSA signing and verifying
•DSA signing and verifying
•X9.31 for RNG
In addition, the following algorithms are FIPS-allowed:
•RSA encryption/decryption (used only for key transport)
•TLS for Layer 7 security
Note Pursuant to the DES Transition Plan and the approval of the Withdrawal of Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 46-3, Data Encryption Standard (DES); FIPS 74, Guidelines for Implementing and Using the NBS Data Encryption Standard; and FIPS 81, DES Modes of Operation, the DES algorithm must not be used in FIPS-approved mode of operation.
Each cryptographic implementation in the PIX security appliance software release with on-board acceleration has achieved the certifications listed in Table 9.
Table 9 Algorithm Certificates
Algorithm
|
PIX Security Appliance Software
|
VPN Acceleration Card+
|
AES
|
320
|
209
|
Triple DES
|
384
|
298
|
SHA-1
|
393
|
285
|
HMAC SHA-1
|
124
|
15
|
RNG
|
143
|
Not supported
|
RSA
|
105
|
107
|
DSA
|
150
|
152
|
Non-FIPS Approved Algorithms
The PIX security appliances implement the following non-FIPS-approved cryptographic algorithms:
•DES
•SSL
•RC4
•MD5
•MD5 HMAC
•Diffie-Hellman (allowed for use in FIPS mode) (key agreement; key establishment methodology provides between 70 and 112 bits of encryption strength)
•RSA (allowed in FIPS mode for key transport) (key wrapping; key establishment methodology provides 80 or 112 bits of encryption strength)
Applying Tamper-Evident Labels
All Critical Security Parameters (CSPs) are stored and protected within the PIX security appliance tamper-evident enclosure. The administrator is responsible for properly placing all tamper-evident labels to comply with the FIPS 140-2 security policy. The security labels mandatory for FIPS 140-2 compliance are provided in FIPS Kit (CVPNPIXASAFIPS/KIT). These security labels are very fragile and cannot be removed without clear signs of damage to the labels.
The crypto officer should inspect the tamper-evident labels periodically to verify they are intact and the serial numbers on the applied tamper-evident labels match the records in the security log.
Note The tamper-evident seals are produced from a special thin gauge vinyl with self-adhesive backing. Any attempt to open the PIX security appliance will damage the tamper-evident seals or the material of the PIX security appliance cover. Because the tamper-evident seals have non-repeated serial numbers, they may be inspected for damage and compared against the applied serial numbers to verify that the device has not been tampered with. Tamper-evident seals can also be inspected for signs of tampering, which include the following: curled corners, rips, and slices. The word Open may appear if the label was peeled back. Extra tamper-evident seals have been included in your FIPS kit to accommodate maintenance of your chassis.
Apply the serialized tamper-evident labels by performing the steps in either the "PIX 525" section or the "PIX 535" section.
PIX 525
Step 1 Turn off and unplug the system before cleaning the chassis and applying labels.
Step 2 Clean the chassis of any grease, dirt, or oil before applying the labels. Alcohol-based cleaning pads are recommended for this purpose.
Step 3 Apply one label on the side of the PIX security appliance as shown in Figure 1. Apply a second label towards the back of the device and wrap it toward the back plate as shown in Figure 1. See the same label from a different angle in Figure 2.
Figure 1 Cisco PIX 525 Front Tamper-Evident Label Placement
Step 4 On the back of the device, apply a label to cover the power supply, as shown in Figure 2.
Step 5 Apply one label on the other side of the device as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2 Cisco PIX 525 Back Tamper-Evident Label Placement
Step 6 Record the serial numbers of the labels applied to the system in a security log.
PIX 535
Step 1 Turn off and unplug the system before cleaning the chassis and applying labels.
Step 2 Clean the chassis of any grease, dirt, or oil before applying the labels. Alcohol-based cleaning pads are recommended for this purpose.
Step 3 Apply one label on the side of the device as shown in Figure 3, and a second label on the other side of the device as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 3 Cisco PIX 535 Front Tamper-Evident Label Placement
Step 4 On the back of the device, apply labels to cover the power supplies and the removable component tray as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4 Cisco PIX 535 Back Tamper-Evident Label Placement
Step 5 Record the serial numbers of the labels applied to the system in a security log.
Related Documentation
This document deals only with operations and capabilities of the PIX security appliance in the technical terms of a FIPS 140-2 cryptographic device security policy.
More information is available on the PIX security appliance from the following sources:
•PIX security appliance software: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/secursw/ps2120/tsd_products_support_series_home.html
•PIX security appliance licenses: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/vpndevc/ps2030/products_data_sheet09186a00800b0d85.html
•NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program website contains contact information for answers to technical or sales-related questions for the PIX security appliance. (See (http://csrc.ncsl.nist.gov/cryptval/.)
Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request
For information on obtaining documentation, submitting a service request, and gathering additional information, see the monthly What's New in Cisco Product Documentation, which also lists all new and revised Cisco technical documentation, at:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/general/whatsnew/whatsnew.html
Subscribe to the What's New in Cisco Product Documentation as a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed and set content to be delivered directly to your desktop using a reader application. The RSS feeds are a free service and Cisco currently supports RSS Version 2.0.
Definitions
AES—Advanced Encryption Standard
CMVP—Cryptographic Module Validation Program
CSP—Critical Security Parameter
DES—Data Encryption Standard
DSA—Digital Signature Algorithm
FIPS—Federal Information Processing Standard
HMAC—Hashed Message Authentication Code
HTTP—Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
IKE—Internet Key Exchange
KAT—Known Answer Test
LED—Light Emitting Diode
MAC—Message Authentication Code
NIST—National Institute of Standards and Technology
NVLAP—National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program
NVRAM—Non-volatile Random Access Memory
PRNG—Pseudo-Random Number Generator
RAM—Random Access Memory
RSA—Rivest Shamir and Adleman method for asymmetric encryption
Service Card—A service card may provide additional interfaces, feature acceleration or additional services. Service cards may take a Circuit Board form factor for PIX security appliances
SHA—Secure Hash Algorithm
SSL—Secure Sockets Layer
TLS—Transport Layer Security
Trustpoint—A trustpoint represents a CA identity and possibly a device identity, based on a certificate issued by the CA. When certificates are exchanged, the PIX/ASA device follows the trustpoint path upwards until it reaches the root CA to validate the certificate.
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