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The MQ Appliance messaging server must authenticate all network-connected endpoint devices before establishing any connection.

An XCCDF Rule

Description

<VulnDiscussion>Device authentication requires unique identification and authentication that may be defined by type, by specific device, or by a combination of type and device. Device authentication is accomplished via the use of certificates and protocols such as SSL mutual authentication. Device authentication is performed when the messaging server is providing web services capabilities and data protection requirements mandate the need to establish the identity of the connecting device before the connection is established. The most common way devices (endpoints) may connect an MQ Appliance MQ queue manager is as an MQ client. In order to ensure unique identification of network-connected devices, mutual authentication using CA-signed TLS certificates should be configured. Note: Following are the cipher specs available for MQ: https://ibm.biz/BdrJGp</VulnDiscussion><FalsePositives></FalsePositives><FalseNegatives></FalseNegatives><Documentable>false</Documentable><Mitigations></Mitigations><SeverityOverrideGuidance></SeverityOverrideGuidance><PotentialImpacts></PotentialImpacts><ThirdPartyTools></ThirdPartyTools><MitigationControl></MitigationControl><Responsibility></Responsibility><IAControls></IAControls>

ID
SV-89587r1_rule
Severity
Medium
References
Updated



Remediation - Manual Procedure

The most common way devices (endpoints) may connect an MQ Appliance MQ queue manager is as an MQ client. In order to ensure unique identification of network-connected devices, mutual authentication using CA-signed TLS certificates should be configured. 

1. Prepare the key repository on each endpoint client.
2. Request a CA-signed certificate for each client. You might use different CAs for the two endpoints.
3. Add the Certificate Authority certificate to the key repository for each client. If the endpoints are using different Certificate Authorities then the CA certificate for each Certificate Authority must be added to both key repositories.
4. Add the CA-signed certificate to the key repository for each endpoint.