STIGQter: STIG Summary: Cisco NX OS Switch NDM Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 3 Release: 6 Benchmark Date: 05 Jan 2026:

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

DISA Rule

SV-220502r1156823_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-220502

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

SW1# configure terminal
SW1(config)# feature ntp
SW1(config)# ntp authentication-key 1 md5 xxxxxx
SW1(config)# ntp trusted-key 1
SW1(config)# ntp authenticate
SW1(config)# ntp server 10.1.12.10 key 1
SW1(config)# ntp commit
SW1(config)# end
SW1# copy running-config startup-config

Note: The ntp commit command can be omitted if CFS is not enabled for NTP.

Check Contents

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

show running-config ntp

ntp authentication-key 1 md5 xxxxxx
ntp server 10.1.12.10 key 1
ntp trusted-key 1
ntp authenticate

Note: Cisco NX-OS 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 switch is not configured to authenticate NTP sources using authentication with FIPS-compliant algorithms, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-220502

Documentable

False

Rule Version

CISC-ND-001150

Severity Override Guidance

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

show running-config ntp

ntp authentication-key 1 md5 xxxxxx
ntp server 10.1.12.10 key 1
ntp trusted-key 1
ntp authenticate

Note: Cisco NX-OS 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 switch is not configured to authenticate NTP sources using authentication with FIPS-compliant algorithms, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

4066