National Information Assurance Partnership
Common Criteria Evaluation and Validation Scheme
Validation Report
Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-OS 9.4
Report Number: CCEVS-VR-VID11511-2025
Dated: March 13, 2025
Version: 1.0
National Institute of Standards and Technology Department of Defense
Information Technology Laboratory ATTN: NIAP, Suite 6982
100 Bureau Drive 9800 Savage Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20899 Fort Meade, MD 20755-6982
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Validation Team
Jenn Dotson
Randy Heimann
Lisa Mitchell
Lori Sarem
Chris Thorpe
Common Criteria Testing Laboratory
Will Micknick
Gossamer Security Solutions, Inc.
Columbia, MD
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Table of Contents
1 Executive Summary............................................................................................................1
2 Identification.......................................................................................................................2
3 Architectural Information...................................................................................................3
3.1 TOE Description.........................................................................................................3
3.2 TOE Evaluated Platforms...........................................................................................4
3.3 TOE Architecture .......................................................................................................4
3.4 Physical Boundaries ...................................................................................................4
4 Security Policy....................................................................................................................5
4.1 Security audit..............................................................................................................5
4.2 Cryptographic support................................................................................................6
4.3 Identification and authentication ................................................................................6
4.4 Security management .................................................................................................6
4.5 Protection of the TSF..................................................................................................7
4.6 TOE access .................................................................................................................7
4.7 Trusted path/channels.................................................................................................8
5 Assumptions & Clarification of Scope...............................................................................9
6 Documentation .................................................................................................................10
7 IT Product Testing............................................................................................................11
7.1 Developer Testing ....................................................................................................11
7.2 Evaluation Team Independent Testing.....................................................................11
8 TOE Evaluated Configuration..........................................................................................12
8.1 Evaluated Configuration...........................................................................................12
8.2 Excluded Functionality.............................................................................................12
9 Results of the Evaluation..................................................................................................14
9.1 Evaluation of the Security Target (ASE)..................................................................14
9.2 Evaluation of the Development (ADV)....................................................................14
9.3 Evaluation of the Guidance Documents (AGD).......................................................14
9.4 Evaluation of the Life Cycle Support Activities (ALC)...........................................15
9.5 Evaluation of the Test Documentation and the Test Activity (ATE).......................15
9.6 Vulnerability Assessment Activity (VAN) ..............................................................15
9.7 Summary of Evaluation Results ...............................................................................16
10 Validator Comments/Recommendations......................................................................17
11 Annexes ........................................................................................................................18
12 Security Target .............................................................................................................19
13 Glossary........................................................................................................................20
14 Bibliography.................................................................................................................21
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1 Executive Summary
This report documents the assessment of the National Information Assurance Partnership
(NIAP) validation team of the evaluation of Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-
OS 9.4 solution provided by Cisco Systems, Inc. It presents the evaluation results, their
justifications, and the conformance results. This Validation Report (VR) is not an endorsement
of the Target of Evaluation by any agency of the U.S. government, and no warranty is either
expressed or implied.
The evaluation was performed by the Gossamer Security Solutions (Gossamer) Common
Criteria Testing Laboratory (CCTL) in Columbia, MD, United States of America, and was
completed in March 2025. The information in this report is largely derived from the Evaluation
Technical Report (ETR) and associated test reports, all written by Gossamer Security Solutions.
The evaluation determined that the product is both Common Criteria Part 2 Extended and Part
3 Conformant, and meets the assurance requirements of the collaborative Protection Profile for
Network Devices, version 2.2e, 23 March 2020.
The Target of Evaluation (TOE) is the Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-OS 9.4.
The Target of Evaluation (TOE) identified in this VR has been evaluated at a NIAP approved
Common Criteria Testing Laboratory using the Common Methodology for IT Security
Evaluation (Version 3.1, Rev 5) for conformance to the Common Criteria for IT Security
Evaluation (Version 3.1, Rev 5). This VR applies only to the specific version of the TOE as
evaluated. The evaluation has been conducted in accordance with the provisions of the NIAP
Common Criteria Evaluation and Validation Scheme and the conclusions of the testing
laboratory in the evaluation technical report are consistent with the evidence provided.
The validation team monitored the activities of the evaluation team, provided guidance on
technical issues and evaluation processes, and reviewed the individual work units and
successive versions of the ETR. The validation team found that the evaluation showed that the
product satisfies all of the functional requirements and assurance requirements stated in the
Security Target (ST). Therefore, the validation team concludes that the testing laboratory’s
findings are accurate, the conclusions justified, and the conformance results are correct. The
conclusions of the testing laboratory in the evaluation technical report are consistent with the
evidence produced.
The technical information included in this report was obtained from the Cisco MDS 9000 Series
Switches Running NX-OS 9.4 Security Target, Version 1.1, March 12, 2025 and analysis
performed by the validation team.
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2 Identification
The CCEVS is a joint National Security Agency (NSA) and National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) effort to establish commercial facilities to perform trusted product
evaluations. Under this program, security evaluations are conducted by commercial testing
laboratories called Common Criteria Testing Laboratories (CCTLs) using the Common
Evaluation Methodology (CEM) in accordance with National Voluntary Laboratory
Assessment Program (NVLAP) accreditation.
The NIAP Validation Body assigns Validators to monitor the CCTLs to ensure quality and
consistency across evaluations. Developers of information technology products desiring a
security evaluation contract with a CCTL and pay a fee for their product’s evaluation. Upon
successful completion of the evaluation, the product is added to NIAP’s Validated Products
List.
Table 1 provides information needed to completely identify the product, including:
• The Target of Evaluation (TOE): the fully qualified identifier of the product as evaluated.
• The Security Target (ST), describing the security features, claims, and assurances of the
product.
• The conformance result of the evaluation.
• The Protection Profile to which the product is conformant.
• The organizations and individuals participating in the evaluation.
Table 1: Evaluation Identifiers
Item Identifier
Evaluation Scheme United States NIAP Common Criteria Evaluation and Validation Scheme
TOE Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-OS 9.4
(Specific models identified in Section 8)
Protection Profile collaborative Protection Profile for Network Devices, version 2.2e, 23 March
2020
ST Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-OS 9.4 Security Target, Version
1.1, March 12, 2025
Evaluation Technical
Report
Evaluation Technical Report for Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-
OS 9.4, Version 0.3, March 13, 2025
CC Version Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation, Version 3.1,
rev 5
Conformance Result CC Part 2 extended, CC Part 3 conformant
Sponsor/Developer Cisco Systems, Inc.
Common Criteria
Testing Lab (CCTL)
Gossamer Security Solutions, Inc.
Columbia, MD
CCEVS Validators The MITRE Corporation
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3 Architectural Information
Note: The following architectural description is based on the description presented in the ST.
The Target of Evaluation (TOE) is the Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches running Cisco NX-
OS 9.4.
The TOE is comprised of both software and hardware. The hardware is comprised of the
following model series: 9100, 9200, 9300, and 9700. The software is comprised of the Cisco
NX-OS software image Release 9.4.
The TOE is a storage networking-class switch for use in small fabrics and large data centers
with state-of-the-art multiprotocol and distributed multiservice convergence.
Cisco NX-OS is a Cisco-developed highly configurable proprietary operating system that
provides for efficient and effective routing and switching. Although Cisco NX-OS performs
many networking functions, this TOE only addresses the functions that provide for the security
of the TOE itself.
3.1 TOE Description
The Cisco MDS 9K Series are storage networking-class switches for use in small fabrics and
large data centers with intelligent SANs. The Cisco MDS 9K Series provides multilayer
support, greater performance and enhanced operations through features including intelligent
services, programmability, automation, analytics, and manageability.
The Cisco MDS 9100 platform consists of fixed-port switches designed for small, midsize, and
large enterprises that are rapidly deploying cloud-scale applications using extremely dense
virtualized servers. They are Layer 2 and 3 nonblocking Fibre Channel switches with 32-Gbps
of dedicated bandwidth per port. The switch contains 32 ports with an optional port expansion
module to add 16 additional ports.
The Cisco MDS 9200 platform consists of fixed-port switches designed for deploying high-
performance SAN-extension solutions, distributed intelligent fabric services, and cost-effective
multiprotocol connectivity for both open systems and mainframe environments. They are Layer
2 and 3 nonblocking switches which offer up to twelve 32-Gbps Fibre Channel ports, four 10-,
two 25-, and one 40-Gbps Ethernet IP storage services ports, in a fixed One-Rack-Unit (1RU)
form factor.
The Cisco MDS 9300 platform consists of fixed-port switches that are ideal for medium to large
departmental SANs. They are Layer 2 and 3 nonblocking switches that offer up to 96 Fibre
Channel ports with 32-Gbps and 64-Gbps of dedicated bandwidth per port in a fixed Two-Rack-
Unit (2RU) form factor.
The Cisco MDS 9700 platform consists of director-class SAN switches designed for
deployment in small to medium-sized storage networks. They are modular chasses that that
offer up to 192 Fibre Channel ports with up to 64-Gbps of dedicated bandwidth per port in a
fixed Nine-Rack-Unit (9RU) form factor.
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3.2 TOE Evaluated Platforms
Detail regarding the evaluated configuration is provided in Section 8 below.
3.3 TOE Architecture
The TOE consists of one or more switches and includes the Cisco NX-OS software. The TOE
has two or more network interfaces and is connected to at least one internal and one external
network. The Cisco NX-OS configuration determines how packets are handled to and from
the TOE’s network interfaces. The switch configuration will determine how traffic flows
received on an interface will be handled. Typically, packet flows are passed through the
internetworking device and forwarded to their configured destination.
If the TOE is to be remotely administered, then the management workstation must be
connected to an internal network and SSHv2 must be used to securely connect to the TOE.
Audit records are stored locally and are also remotely backed up to a remote syslog server. If
these servers are used, they must be attached to the internal (trusted) network. The internal
(trusted) network is meant to be separated effectively from unauthorized individuals and user
traffic; one that is in a controlled environment where implementation of security policies can
be enforced.
3.4 Physical Boundaries
The TOE is a hardware and software solution that makes up the switch models as follows:
MDS 9100, 9200, 9300, and 9700 series. The network, on which they reside, is considered
part of the environment.
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4 Security Policy
This section summarizes the security functionality of the TOE:
1. Security audit
2. Cryptographic support
3. Identification and authentication
4. Security management
5. Protection of the TSF
6. TOE access
7. Trusted path/channels
4.1 Security audit
The Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches provide extensive auditing capabilities. The TOE can
audit events related to cryptographic functionality, identification and authentication,
enforcement of information flow control policies and administrative actions. The Cisco MDS
9000 Series Switches generate an audit record for each auditable event. For each event, the
TOE records the date, timestamp, event description, subject identity that triggered the event
and the outcome of the event.
The auditable events include:
• failure on invoking cryptographic functionality such as establishment, termination and
failure of cryptographic session establishments and connections;
• modifications to the group of users that are part of the authorized administrator roles;
• all use of the user identification mechanism;
• any use of the authentication mechanism;
• Administrator lockout due to excessive authentication failures;
• any change in the configuration of the TOE;
• changes to time;
• initiation of TOE update;
• indication of completion of TSF self-test;
• maximum sessions being exceeded;
• termination of a remote session;
• attempts to unlock a termination session; and
• initiation and termination of a trusted channel.
The authorized administrator configures auditable events, performs back-up operations, and
manages audit data storage. The TOE is configured to transmit the audit messages to an
external syslog server. Communication with the syslog server is protected by using TLS and
the TOE can determine when communication with the syslog server fails. In the presence of a
TLS communication failure, the TOE will continuously and automatically re-attempt to
reestablish the syslog connection in case of a network disruption. In the case of a TLS
protocol failure the administrator should review the configuration of both the TOE and the
syslog server.
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The audit logs can be viewed on the TOE using the appropriate Cisco NX-OS commands.
The records include the date/time the event occurred, the event/type of event, the user
associated with the event, and additional information of the event and its success and/or
failure. The TOE does not have an interface to modify audit records, though there is an
interface available for the authorized administrator to clear (delete) audit data stored locally
on the TOE.
4.2 Cryptographic support
The TOE provides cryptography in support of other TOE security functionality. All the
algorithms claimed have CAVP certificates (Operation Environment – Intel Xeon processor).
All the algorithms claimed have CAVP certificates.
The NX-OS software calls the CiscoSSL FOM Cryptographic implementation version 7.3a
and has been validated for conformance to the requirements of FIPS 140-2 Level 1.
The TOE provides cryptography in support of remote administrative management via SSHv2
and secure the session between the TOE and remote syslog server using TLS.
4.3 Identification and authentication
The TOE performs one type of authentication: authentication for the Authorized
Administrator of the TOE using a local user database.
The TOE provides authentication services for administrative users wishing to connect to the
TOE’s secure CLI administrator interface. The TOE requires Authorized Administrators to
authenticate prior to being granted access to any of the management functionality. The TOE
is configured to require a minimum password length of 8 characters as well as password-
strength checking that disables the use of weak passwords. The TOE provides administrator
authentication against a local user database. Password-based authentication can be performed
on the serial console or SSH interfaces. The SSHv2 interface also supports authentication
using SSH keys.
After a configurable number of incorrect login attempts, Cisco MDS 9K Series will lockout
the account until an Authorized Administrator takes action.
The TOE uses X.509v3 certificates as defined by RFC 5280 to support authentication for TLS
connections.
4.4 Security management
The TOE provides secure administrative services for management of general TOE
configuration and the security functionality provided by the TOE. All TOE administration
occurs either through a secure SSHv2 session or via a local console connection. The TOE
provides the ability to securely manage:
• Administration of the TOE locally and remotely;
• Configuration of warning and consent access banners;
• Configuration of session inactivity thresholds;
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• Updates of the TOE software;
• Configuration of authentication failures;
• Configuration of the audit functions of the TOE;
• Configuration of the TOE provided services; and
• Configuration of the cryptographic functionality of the TOE.
The Cisco MDS 9K Series switch supports the following predefined roles:
• network-admin – This role is a super administrative role. This role has read and write
privileges for any configuration item on the MDS 9000 Series.
• network-operator - This role has read access to the entire Cisco NX-OS device.
• server-admin - Complete read access to the entire Cisco NX-OS device and upgrade
capability.
All administrators are considered to be security administrators in this ST. The Cisco MDS 9K
Series has a CLI that can be administered either remotely using SSHv2 or locally via a
console that is directly connected via a serial cable.
4.5 Protection of the TSF
The TOE protects against interference and tampering by untrusted subjects by implementing
identification, authentication, and access controls to limit configuration and access to
Authorized Administrators. The TOE prevents reading of cryptographic passwords.
Additionally, Cisco NX-OS is not a general-purpose operating system and access to Cisco
NX-OS memory space is restricted to only Cisco NX-OS functions.
Use of separate VLANs is used to ensure routing protocol communications between the TOE
and neighbor switches including routing table updates and neighbor switch authentication will
be logically isolated from traffic on other VLANs.
The TOE is able to verify any software updates prior to the software updates being installed
on the TOE to avoid the installation of unauthorized software.
The TOE internally maintains the date and time. This date and time are used as the timestamp
that is applied to audit records generated by the TOE. Administrators can update the TOE’s
clock manually. Finally, the TOE performs power-up self-tests and conditional self-tests to
verify correct operation of the switch itself and that of the cryptographic module.
4.6 TOE access
The TOE can terminate inactive sessions after an Authorized Administrator configurable
time-period. Once a session has been terminated, the TOE requires the user to re-authenticate
to establish a new session. The administrator can also terminate their own session by exiting
out of the CLI.
The TOE can also be configured to display an Authorized Administrator specified banner on
the CLI management interface prior to allowing any administrative access to the TOE.
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4.7 Trusted path/channels
The TOE allows trusted paths to be established to itself from remote administrators over
SSHv2 for remote CLI access. MDS 9K also allows a trusted channel to be established with a
syslog server using TLS.
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5 Assumptions & Clarification of Scope
Assumptions
The Security Problem Definition, including the assumptions, may be found in the following
documents:
• collaborative Protection Profile for Network Devices, version 2.2e, 23 March 2020
That information has not been reproduced here and the NDcPP22e should be consulted if there
is interest in that material.
Clarification of scope
The scope of this evaluation was limited to the functionality and assurances covered in the
NDcPP22e as described for this TOE in the Security Target. Other functionality included in the
product was not assessed as part of this evaluation. All other functionality provided by the
devices needs to be assessed separately, and no further conclusions can be drawn about their
effectiveness.
All evaluations (and all products) have limitations, as well as potential misconceptions that need
clarification. This text covers some of the more important limitations and clarifications of this
evaluation. Note that:
• As with any evaluation, this evaluation only shows that the evaluated configuration
meets the security claims made with a certain level of assurance (the assurance activities
specified in the collaborative Protection Profile for Network Devices and performed by
the evaluation team).
• This evaluation covers only the specific device models and software as identified in this
document, and not any earlier or later versions released or in process.
• Apart from the Admin Guide, additional customer documentation for the specific
network device models was not included in the scope of the evaluation and therefore
should not to be relied upon when configuring or operating the device as evaluated.
• This evaluation did not specifically search for, nor attempt to exploit, vulnerabilities
that were not “obvious” or vulnerabilities to objectives not claimed in the ST. The CEM
defines an “obvious” vulnerability as one that is easily exploited with a minimum of
understanding of the TOE, technical sophistication and resources.
• The functionality evaluated is scoped exclusively to the security functional
requirements specified in the NDcPP22e and applicable Technical Decisions. Any
additional security related functional capabilities of the TOE were not covered by this
evaluation.
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6 Documentation
The following documents were available with the TOE for evaluation:
• Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-OS 9.4 Common Criteria Operational
User Guidance and Preparative Procedures, Version 1.1, March 12, 2025
Any additional customer documentation provided with the product, or that is available online
was not included in the scope of the evaluation and therefore should not be relied upon when
configuring or operating the device as evaluated.
To use the product in the evaluated configuration, the product must be configured as specified
in the Guidance Documentation listed above. Consumers are encouraged to download the
configuration guides from the NIAP website to ensure the device is configured as evaluated.
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7 IT Product Testing
This section describes the testing efforts of the developer and the evaluation team. It is derived
from information contained in the proprietary Detailed Test Report for Cisco MDS 9000 Series
Switches Running NX-OS 9.4, Version 0.3, March 12, 2025 (DTR), as summarized in the
evaluation Assurance Activity Report (AAR).
7.1 Developer Testing
No evidence of developer testing is required in the assurance activities for this product.
7.2 Evaluation Team Independent Testing
The evaluation team verified the product according to a Common Criteria Certification
document and ran the tests specified in the NDcPP22e including the tests associated with
optional requirements. The Independent Testing activity is documented in the AAR, which is
publicly available, and is not duplicated here.
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8 TOE Evaluated Configuration
8.1 Evaluated Configuration
The evaluated configuration consists of the following models:
TOE Series TOE Models Software Version
Cisco MDS 9100 Series DS-C9148T-K9-24EK9
DS-C9148T-K9-24IK9
NX-OS 9.4
Cisco MDS 9200 Series DS-C9220I-4PEK9
DS-C9220I-4PIK9
NX-OS 9.4
Cisco MDS 9300 Series DS-C9396T-48EK9
DS-C9396T-48IK9
DS-C9396V-48EK9
DS-C9396V-48IK9
NX-OS 9.4
Cisco MDS 9700 Series
(any of three chassis models,
each with one or a pair of
Supervisor-4)
DS-C9706 with DS-X97-SF4-K9
DS-C9710 with DS-X97-SF4-K9
DS-C9718 with DS-X97-SF4-K9
NX-OS 9.4
8.2 Excluded Functionality
The following functionality is excluded from the evaluation.
Excluded Functionality Exclusion Rationale
Non-FIPS 140-2 mode of operation This mode of operation includes non-FIPS allowed
operations.
Telnet Telnet will be disabled in the evaluated configuration.
SNMP SNMP will be disabled in the evaluated configuration.
NTP NTP will be disabled in the evaluated configuration.
DCNM GUI The DCNM GUI was not included in the evaluated
configuration.
Bash shell Bash shell interface was not included in the evaluation.
PTP PTP is not included in the evaluation.
HTTP Server HTTP web server will be disabled in the evaluated
configuration.
IPsec IPsec is not included in the evaluated configuration.
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Excluded Functionality Exclusion Rationale
LDAP LDAP is not included in the evaluated configuration.
RADIUS RADIUS is not included in the evaluation.
TACACS+ TACACS+ will be disabled in the evaluated
configuration.
These services will be disabled by configuration settings as described in the Guidance
documents (AGD). The exclusion of this functionality does not affect the compliance to the
collaborative Protection Profile for Network Devices Version 2.2e.
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9 Results of the Evaluation
The results of the assurance requirements are generally described in this section and are
presented in detail in the proprietary ETR. The reader of this document can assume that all
assurance activities and work units received a passing verdict.
A verdict for an assurance component is determined by the resulting verdicts assigned to the
corresponding evaluator action elements. The evaluation was conducted based upon CC version
3.1 rev 5 and CEM version 3.1 rev 5. The evaluation determined the Cisco MDS 9000 Series
Switches Running NX-OS 9.4 TOE to be Part 2 extended, and to meet the SARs contained in
the NDcPP22e.
9.1 Evaluation of the Security Target (ASE)
The evaluation team applied each ASE CEM work unit. The ST evaluation ensured the ST
contains a description of the environment in terms of policies and assumptions, a statement of
security requirements claimed to be met by the Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-
OS 9.4 products that are consistent with the Common Criteria, and product security function
descriptions that support the requirements.
The validation team reviewed the work of the evaluation team and found that sufficient
evidence and justification was provided by the evaluation team to confirm that the evaluation
was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the CEM, and that the conclusion
reached by the evaluation team was justified.
9.2 Evaluation of the Development (ADV)
The evaluation team applied each ADV CEM work unit. The evaluation team assessed the
design documentation and found it adequate to aid in understanding how the TSF provides the
security functions. The design documentation consists of a functional specification contained
in the Security Target and Guidance documents. Additionally. the evaluation team performed
the assurance activities specified in the NDcPP22e related to the examination of the information
contained in the TSS.
The validation team reviewed the work of the evaluation team and found that sufficient
evidence and justification was provided by the evaluation team to confirm that the evaluation
was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the CEM, and that the conclusion
reached by the evaluation team was justified.
9.3 Evaluation of the Guidance Documents (AGD)
The evaluation team applied each AGD CEM work unit. The evaluation team ensured the
adequacy of the user guidance in describing how to use the operational TOE. Additionally, the
evaluation team ensured the adequacy of the administrator guidance in describing how to
securely administer the TOE. All of the guides were assessed during the design and testing
phases of the evaluation to ensure they were complete.
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The validation team reviewed the work of the evaluation team and found that sufficient
evidence and justification was provided by the evaluation team to confirm that the evaluation
was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the CEM, and that the conclusion
reached by the evaluation team was justified.
9.4 Evaluation of the Life Cycle Support Activities (ALC)
The evaluation team applied each ALC CEM work unit. The evaluation team found that the
TOE was identified.
The validation team reviewed the work of the evaluation team and found that sufficient
evidence and justification was provided by the evaluation team to confirm that the evaluation
was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the CEM, and that the conclusion
reached by the evaluation team was justified.
9.5 Evaluation of the Test Documentation and the Test Activity (ATE)
The evaluation team applied each ATE CEM work unit. The evaluation team ran the set of tests
specified by the assurance activities in the NDcPP22e and recorded the results in a Test Report,
summarized in the AAR.
The validation team reviewed the work of the evaluation team and found that sufficient
evidence and justification was provided by the evaluation team to confirm that the evaluation
was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the CEM, and that the conclusion
reached by the evaluation team was justified.
9.6 Vulnerability Assessment Activity (VAN)
The evaluation team applied each AVA CEM work unit. The vulnerability analysis is in the
Detailed Test Report (DTR) prepared by the evaluation team. The vulnerability analysis
includes a public search for vulnerabilities. The public search for vulnerabilities did not
uncover any residual vulnerability.
The evaluation team searched the following sources:
• National Vulnerability Database (https://web.nvd.nist.gov/vuln/search)
• Vulnerability Notes Database (http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/)
• Rapid7 Vulnerability Database (https://www.rapid7.com/db/vulnerabilities)
• Tipping Point Zero Day Initiative (http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories )
• cve.org CVE Database (https://www.cve.org/),
• Tenable Network Security (http://nessus.org/plugins/index.php?view=search)
• Offensive Security Exploit Database (https://www.exploit-db.com/)
The searches were performed on 3/12/2025 with the following search terms: “Cisco MDS”,
“MDS”, “Nexus Operating System”, “NX-OS”, “Cisco FIPS object module”, “FOM”, “TLS”,
“SSH”, “Xeon D-1530”, “Xeon D-1623N”, “Xeon D-1573N “, “Xeon D-1564N”.
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The validation team reviewed the work of the evaluation team and found that sufficient
evidence and justification was provided by the evaluation team to confirm that the evaluation
was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the CEM, and that the conclusion
reached by the evaluation team was justified.
9.7 Summary of Evaluation Results
The evaluation team’s assessment of the evaluation evidence demonstrates that the claims in
the ST are met. Additionally, the evaluation team’s testing also demonstrated the accuracy of
the claims in the ST.
The validation team’s assessment of the evidence provided by the evaluation team is that it
demonstrates that the evaluation team followed the procedures defined in the CEM, and
correctly verified that the product meets the claims in the ST.
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10 Validator Comments/Recommendations
The validation team notes that the evaluated configuration is dependent upon the TOE being
configured per the evaluated configuration instructions in the Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches
Running NX-OS 9.4 Common Criteria Operational User Guidance and Preparative
Procedures, Version 1.1, March 12, 2025. As stated in the Clarification of Scope, the evaluated
functionality is scoped exclusively to the security functional requirements specified in the ST,
and the only evaluated functionality was that which was described by the SFRs claimed in the
ST. All other functionality provided by the TOE needs to be assessed separately and no further
conclusions can be drawn about its effectiveness.
Consumers employing the TOE must follow the configuration instructions provided in the
Configuration Guidance documentation listed in Section 6 to ensure the evaluated configuration
is established and maintained. It is important to note the excluded functionality listed in Section
8.2 and follow the configuration instructions to ensure that this functionality is disabled.
Evaluation activities are strictly bound by the assurance activities described in the NDcPP22e
and accompanying Supporting Documents. Consumers and integrators of this TOE are advised
to understand the inherent limitations of these activities and take additional measures as needed
to ensure proper TOE behavior when integrated into an operational environment.
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11 Annexes
Not applicable
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12 Security Target
The Security Target is identified as: Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-OS 9.4
Security Target, Version 1.1, March 12, 2025.
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13 Glossary
The following definitions are used throughout this document:
• Common Criteria Testing Laboratory (CCTL). An IT security evaluation facility
accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) and
approved by the CCEVS Validation Body to conduct Common Criteria-based evaluations.
• Conformance. The ability to demonstrate in an unambiguous way that a given
implementation is correct with respect to the formal model.
• Evaluation. The assessment of an IT product against the Common Criteria using the
Common Criteria Evaluation Methodology to determine whether or not the claims made
are justified; or the assessment of a protection profile against the Common Criteria using
the Common Evaluation Methodology to determine if the Profile is complete, consistent,
technically sound and hence suitable for use as a statement of requirements for one or more
TOEs that may be evaluated.
• Evaluation Evidence. Any tangible resource (information) required from the sponsor or
developer by the evaluator to perform one or more evaluation activities.
• Feature. Part of a product that is either included with the product or can be ordered
separately.
• Target of Evaluation (TOE). A group of IT products configured as an IT system, or an IT
product, and associated documentation that is the subject of a security evaluation under the
CC.
• Validation. The process carried out by the CCEVS Validation Body leading to the issue of
a Common Criteria certificate.
• Validation Body. A governmental organization responsible for carrying out validation and
for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the NIAP Common Criteria Evaluation and
Validation Scheme.
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14 Bibliography
The validation team used the following documents to produce this Validation Report:
[1] Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation: Part 1: Introduction
and General Model, Version 3.1, Revision 5, April 2017.
[2] Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation Part 2: Security
functional components, Version 3.1, Revision 5, April 2017.
[3] Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation Part 3: Security
assurance components, Version 3.1 Revision 5, April 2017.
[4] collaborative Protection Profile for Network Devices, version 2.2e, 23 March 2020.
[5] Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-OS 9.4 Security Target, Version 1.1,
March 12, 2025 (ST).
[6] Assurance Activity Report for Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-OS 9.4,
Version 0.3, March 12, 2025 (AAR).
[7] Detailed Test Report for Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-OS 9.4, Version
0.3, March 12, 2025 (DTR).
[8] Evaluation Technical Report for Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-OS
9.4, Version 0.3, March 13, 2025 (ETR).
[9] Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches Running NX-OS 9.4 Common Criteria Operational
User Guidance and Preparative Procedures, Version 1.1, March 12, 2025 (AGD).