STIGQter: STIG Summary: Cisco IOS Router NDM Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 3 Release: 8 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

The Cisco router must be configured to authenticate Network Time Protocol (NTP) sources using authentication with FIPS-compliant algorithms.

DISA Rule

SV-215698r1156808_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-215698

Group Title

SRG-APP-000395-NDM-000347

Rule Version

CISC-ND-001150

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-001967 - Authenticate organization-defined devices and/or types of devices before establishing a local, remote, and/or network connection using bidirectional authentication that is cryptographically based.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure the Cisco router to authenticate NTP sources using authentication with FIPS-compliant algorithms as shown in the example below:

R2(config)#ntp authenticate
R2(config)#ntp authentication-key 1 md5 xxxxxx
R2(config)#ntp trusted-key 1
R2(config)#ntp server x.x.x.x key 1
R2(config)#ntp server y.y.y.y key 1

Check Contents

Review the Cisco router configuration to verify it authenticates NTP sources using authentication with FIPS-compliant algorithms as shown in the configuration example below:

ntp authentication-key 1 md5 xxxxxx
ntp authenticate
ntp trusted-key 1
ntp server x.x.x.x key 1
ntp server y.y.y.y key 1

NOTE: Cisco IOS is limited to MD5 for NTP authentication, and incurs a permanent finding as it is not FIPS compliant. MD5 partially reduces the risk but cannot fully mitigate it.

If the Cisco router is not configured to authenticate NTP sources using authentication with FIPS-compliant algorithms, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-215698

Documentable

False

Rule Version

CISC-ND-001150

Severity Override Guidance

Review the Cisco router configuration to verify it authenticates NTP sources using authentication with FIPS-compliant algorithms as shown in the configuration example below:

ntp authentication-key 1 md5 xxxxxx
ntp authenticate
ntp trusted-key 1
ntp server x.x.x.x key 1
ntp server y.y.y.y key 1

NOTE: Cisco IOS is limited to MD5 for NTP authentication, and incurs a permanent finding as it is not FIPS compliant. MD5 partially reduces the risk but cannot fully mitigate it.

If the Cisco router is not configured to authenticate NTP sources using authentication with FIPS-compliant algorithms, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

4014