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CM-07 Least Functionality

NIST SP 800-53 (controls) 5.2.0 against 5.2.0
All changes in this version
unchanged CM Low baselineModerate baselineHigh baseline

Title

Least Functionality

Control

a. Configure the system to provide only [Assignment: mission-essential capabilities] ; and
b. Prohibit or restrict the use of the following functions, ports, protocols, software, and/or services: [Assignment: organization-defined prohibited or restricted functions, system ports, protocols, software, and/or services].

Discussion

Systems provide a wide variety of functions and services. Some of the functions and services routinely provided by default may not be necessary to support essential organizational missions, functions, or operations. Additionally, it is sometimes convenient to provide multiple services from a single system component, but doing so increases risk over limiting the services provided by that single component. Where feasible, organizations limit component functionality to a single function per component. Organizations consider removing unused or unnecessary software and disabling unused or unnecessary physical and logical ports and protocols to prevent unauthorized connection of components, transfer of information, and tunneling. Organizations employ network scanning tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and end-point protection technologies, such as firewalls and host-based intrusion detection systems, to identify and prevent the use of prohibited functions, protocols, ports, and services. Least functionality can also be achieved as part of the fundamental design and development of the system (see [SA-8](#sa-8), [SC-2](#sc-2) , and [SC-3](#sc-3)).

Parameters

cm-7_prm_2: organization-defined prohibited or restricted functions, system ports, protocols, software, and/or services
cm-07_odp.01: mission-essential capabilities
cm-07_odp.02: functions
cm-07_odp.03: ports
cm-07_odp.04: protocols
cm-07_odp.05: software
cm-07_odp.06: services

Related controls

ac-3, ac-4, cm-11, cm-2, cm-5, cm-6, ra-5, sa-15, sa-4, sa-5, sa-8, sa-9, sc-2, sc-3, sc-37, sc-7, si-4

STIG rules that implement this control 353

Apple iOS/iPadOS 26 V1R3

Apple iOS/iPadOS 27 V1R1

Apple macOS 15 (Sequoia) V1R8

Apple macOS 26 (Tahoe) V1R4

Application Security and Development V6R5

Canonical Ubuntu 22.04 LTS V2R10

Canonical Ubuntu 24.04 LTS V1R7

Cisco IOS XE Router NDM Y26M04

Google Android 16 COBO Y26M10

Google Android 17 COBO Y26M06

Google Chrome Current Windows V2R11

Microsoft Edge V2R5

Microsoft Windows 11 V2R11

Microsoft Windows Server 2022 V2R11

Microsoft Windows Server 2025 V1R4

Mozilla Firefox V6R9

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 V1R3

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 V2R10

Samsung Android 16 COBO Y26M10