National Information Assurance Partnership
Common Criteria Evaluation and Validation
Scheme
Validation Report
Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches
17.12
Report Number: CCEVS-VR-VID11465-2024
Dated: September 17, 2024
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
Sheldon Durrant
Lisa Mitchell
Lori Sarem
The MITRE Corporation
Common Criteria Testing Laboratory
Cody Cummins
Yoel Fortaleza
Douglas Kalmus
Allison Keenan
Gossamer Security Solutions, Inc.
Columbia, MD
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Table of Contents
1 Executive Summary................................................................................................................ 4
2 Identification........................................................................................................................... 5
3 Architectural Information ....................................................................................................... 7
3.1 TOE Description............................................................................................................. 7
3.2 TOE Evaluated Platforms ............................................................................................... 8
3.3 TOE Architecture............................................................................................................ 8
3.4 Physical Boundaries........................................................................................................ 8
4 Security Policy........................................................................................................................ 9
4.1 Security audit .................................................................................................................. 9
4.2 Cryptographic support .................................................................................................... 9
4.3 Identification and authentication..................................................................................... 9
4.4 Security management.................................................................................................... 10
4.5 Protection of the TSF.................................................................................................... 10
4.6 TOE access.................................................................................................................... 10
4.7 Trusted path/channels ................................................................................................... 10
5 Assumptions & Clarification of Scope ................................................................................. 11
6 Documentation...................................................................................................................... 12
7 IT Product Testing ................................................................................................................ 13
7.1 Developer Testing......................................................................................................... 13
7.2 Evaluation Team Independent Testing ......................................................................... 13
8 Evaluated Configuration....................................................................................................... 14
9 Results of the Evaluation ...................................................................................................... 15
9.1 Evaluation of the Security Target (ASE)...................................................................... 15
9.2 Evaluation of the Development (ADV) ........................................................................ 15
9.3 Evaluation of the Guidance Documents (AGD)........................................................... 15
9.4 Evaluation of the Life Cycle Support Activities (ALC) ............................................... 16
9.5 Evaluation of the Test Documentation and the Test Activity (ATE) ........................... 16
9.6 Vulnerability Assessment Activity (VAN)................................................................... 16
9.7 Summary of Evaluation Results.................................................................................... 17
10 Validator Comments/Recommendations .......................................................................... 18
11 Annexes............................................................................................................................. 19
12 Security Target.................................................................................................................. 20
13 Glossary ............................................................................................................................ 21
14 Bibliography ..................................................................................................................... 22
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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 Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12 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 (TOE) 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
September 2024. 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 PP-Configuration for Network Devices
and MACsec Ethernet Encryption, Version 1.0, 29 March 2023 (CFG_NDcPP-MACsec_v2.0)
which includes the Base PP: collaborative Protection Profile for Network Devices, Version 2.2e,
23 March 2020 (NDcPP22e) with the PP-Module for MACsec Ethernet Encryption, Version 1.0,
02 March 2023 (MACSEC10).
The TOE is the Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12.
The TOE identified in this Validation Report has been evaluated at a NIAP approved CCTL 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 (CCEVS) 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 (ETR) are consistent with the evidence produced.
The technical information included in this report was obtained from the Cisco Catalyst
9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12 Security Target, version 0.5, September 11, 2024 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 Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12
(Specific models identified in Section 8)
Protection Profile PP-Configuration for Network Devices and MACsec Ethernet Encryption,
Version 1.0, 29 March 2023 (CFG_NDcPP-MACsec_v2.0) which includes the
Base PP: collaborative Protection Profile for Network Devices, Version 2.2e, 23
March 2020 (NDcPP22e) with the PP-Module for MACsec Ethernet Encryption,
Version 1.0, 02 March 2023 (MACSEC10)
ST Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12 Security Target, version 0.5,
September 11, 2024
Evaluation Technical
Report
Evaluation Technical Report for Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches
17.12, version 0.2, September 11, 2024
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 Cisco Systems, Inc.
Developer Cisco Systems, Inc.
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Item Identifier
Common Criteria
Testing Lab (CCTL)
Gossamer Security Solutions, Inc.
Columbia, MD
CCEVS Validators Jenn Dotson, Sheldon Durrant, Lisa Mitchell, Lori Sarem
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3 Architectural Information
Note: The following architectural description is based on the description presented in the Security
Target.
The Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12 TOE is an enterprise access and
core/distribution switch for enterprise and campus deployments. Switches are used to connect
multiple devices, such as computers, wireless access points, printers, and servers on the same
network within a building or campus. A switch enables connected devices to share information
and talk to each other and is a key building block for any network.
3.1 TOE Description
The Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12 Target of Evaluation (TOE) is a purpose-
built, switching and routing platform enabling connected devices to communicate over a network
at layer 2 or 3. The TOE provides Administrative control and management of the network. For
communicating with other network devices, the TOE provides AES-128 and 256 MACsec
encryption. The TOE also provides Layer 3 capabilities, including OSPF, EIGRP, ISIS, RIP, and
routed access.
Hardware models only vary in component characteristics. These characteristics affect non-
security relevant functions, such as throughput and amount of storage. Since there is no security
relevant impact due to differing components, equivalence between all switch models is claimed.
Primary features of the Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches include the following:
• Central processor that supports all system operations
• Dynamic memory, used by the central processor for all system operations
• Central Processing Unit (CPU) complex with 8-GigaBytes (GB) memory, 16-GB of flash,
and an external Universal Serial Bus (USB) 3.0 Solid State Drive (SSD) pluggable storage
slot (delivering 120-GB of storage with an optional SSD drive)
• Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) SSD local storage
• Flash memory Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), used to
store the Cisco IOS-XE image (binary program)
• Non-volatile Read Only Memory (ROM) is used to store the bootstrap program and power-
on diagnostic programs
• Non-volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM) is used to store switch configuration
parameters that are used to initialize the system at start-up.
• Physical network interfaces (minimally two) (e.g., Registered Jack (RJ-45) serial and standard
10/100/1000 Ethernet ports). The number of network interface ports varies by model
• Dedicated management port on the switch, RJ-45 console port, and a USB mini-Type B
console connection
• Resiliency with Field Replaceable Units (FRU) and redundant power supply, fans, and
modular uplinks
Cisco IOS-XE is a Cisco-developed highly configurable proprietary operating system that provides
for efficient and effective routing and switching. Although IOS-XE performs many networking
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functions, this evaluation only addresses the functions that provide for the security of the TOE
itself.
3.2 TOE Evaluated Platforms
Detail regarding the evaluated configuration is provided in Section 8.
3.3 TOE Architecture
Deployment of the TOE in its evaluated configuration consists of at least one TOE switch model
following the CC installation and configuration guidance document (AGD). The TOE has two or
more network interfaces and is connected to at least one internal and one external network. The
Cisco IOS-XE 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 internet working device and forwarded
to their configured destination.
The TOE can be administered interactively using a CLI over a local console connection or
remotely over SSH.
The operational environment of the TOE will include at least one MACsec peer. The environment
will also include an audit (syslog) server and a Management Workstation. The syslog server is
used to store audit records, where the TOE uses TLS 1.2 to secure the transmission of the records.
The environment will also include a Certificate Authority to provide the TOE with valid
certificates and a method to check the peer certificate revocation status.
3.4 Physical Boundaries
The Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12 TOE is composed of hardware and
software image cat9k_lite_iosxe.17.12.02.SPA.bin. The hardware models are listed in Section 8.
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4 Security Policy
This section summaries 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
Auditing allows Security Administrators to discover intentional and unintentional issues with the
TOE’s configuration and/or operation. Auditing of administrative activities provides information
that may be used to hasten corrective action should the system be configured incorrectly. Security
audit data can also provide an indication of failure of critical portions of the TOE (e.g. a
communication channel failure) or anomalous activity (e.g. establishment of an administrative
session at a suspicious time, repeated failures to establish sessions or authenticate to the TOE) of
a suspicious nature.
The TOE provides extensive capabilities to generate audit data targeted at detecting such activity.
The TOE generates an audit record for each auditable event. Each security relevant audit event
has the date, timestamp, event description, and subject identity. The TOE stores audit messages
in a circular audit trail configurable by the Security Administrator. All audit logs are transmitted
to an external audit server over a trusted channel protected with TLS.
4.2 Cryptographic support
The TOE provides cryptographic functions to implement SSH, TLS, and MACsec protocols. The
cryptographic algorithm implementation has been validated for CAVP conformance. This
includes key generation and random bit generation, key establishment methods, key destruction,
and the various types of cryptographic operations to provide AES encryption/decryption, signature
verification, hash generation, and keyed hash generation.
The TOE supports MACsec using the proprietary Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) 2.0
Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The MACsec Controller (MSC) is embedded
within the ASICs that are utilized within Cisco hardware platforms.
SSH and TLS protocols are implemented using the IOS Common Cryptographic Module (IC2M)
and CiscoSSL FOM cryptographic modules.
4.3 Identification and authentication
The TOE implements three types of authentication to provide a trusted means for Security
Administrators and remote servers/endpoints to securely communicate: X.509v3 certificate-based
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authentication for remote syslog servers, password-based authentication for Security
Administrators, and pre-shared keys for MACsec endpoints.
Security Administrators have the ability to compose strong passwords which are stored using a
SHA-2 hash. Additionally, the TOE detects and tracks successive unsuccessful remote
authentication attempts and will prevent the offending account from making further attempts until
a Security Administrator defined period has elapsed or until the Administrator manually unblocks
the account.
4.4 Security management
The TOE provides a secure remote administrative interface and local interface to perform security
management functions. This includes ability to configure cryptographic functionality; an access
banner containing an advisory notice and consent warning message; a session inactivity timer
before session termination as well as an ability to update TOE software.
The TOE provides a Security Administrator role and only the Security Administrator can perform
the above security management functions.
4.5 Protection of the TSF
The TOE protects critical security data including keys and passwords against tampering by
untrusted subjects. The TOE provides reliable timestamps to support monitoring local and remote
interactive administrative sessions for inactivity, validating X.509 certificates (to determine if a
certificate has expired), and to support accurate audit records.
The TOE provides self-tests to ensure it is operating correctly, including the ability to detect
software integrity failures. Additionally, the TOE provides an ability to perform software updates
and to verify those software updates are from Cisco Systems, Inc.
4.6 TOE access
The TOE monitors both local and remote admin sessions for inactivity and terminates when a
threshold period is reached. Once a session has been terminated the TOE requires the user to re-
authenticate.
The TOE also displays a Security Administrator specified advisory notice and consent warning
message prior to initiating identification and authentication for each administrative user.
4.7 Trusted path/channels
The TOE provides encryption (protection from disclosure and detection of modification) for
communication paths between itself and remote endpoints.
In addition, the TOE provides two-way authentication of each endpoint in a cryptographically
secure manner, meaning that even if there was a malicious attacker between the two endpoints,
any attempt to represent themselves to either endpoint of the communications path as the other
communicating party would be detected.
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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
(NDcPP22e)
• PP-Module for MACsec Ethernet Encryption, Version 1.0, 02 March 2023 (MACSEC10)
That information has not been reproduced here and the NDcPP22e/MACSEC10 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/MACSEC10 as described for this TOE in the ST. 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 NDcPP22e and MACSEC10 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 MACsec
Ethernet Encryption 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/MACSEC10 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 Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12 CC Configuration Guide, Version 0.3,
September 11, 2024
Supplemented with:
• Security Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS XE Dublin 17.12.x (Catalyst 9400 Switches),
2023-07-28
• Security Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS XE Dublin 17.12.x (Catalyst 9600 Switches),
2023-07-28
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 Catalyst
9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12, Version 0.2, September 11, 2024 (DTR) and Supplemental
MACsec Detailed Test Report for Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12, Version 0.1,
August 20, 2024 (sDTR) as summarized in the evaluation Assurance Activity Report for Cisco
Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12, version 02., September 11, 2024 (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/MACSEC10 including the tests associated with
optional requirements. The proprietary DTR lists the tested devices, provides a list of test tools,
and has diagrams of the test environment.
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8 Evaluated Configuration
The evaluation includes the following hardware models:
• C9404R
• C9407R
• C9410R
• C9400X-SUP-2
• C9400X-SUP-2XL
• C9400-LC-48HX
• C9400-LC-48XS
• C9400X-LC-48HN
• C9400-LC-24XY
• C9400-LC-12QC
• C9606R
• C9600X-SUP2
• C9600-LC-40YL4CD
• C9600X-LC-32CD
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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 Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series
Switches 17.12 TOE to be Part 2 extended, and to meet the SARs contained in the
NDcPP22e/MACSEC10.
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 Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12
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 evaluator performed the assurance
activities specified in the NDcPP22e/MACSEC10 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/MACSEC10 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 sites:
• National Vulnerability Database (https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/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 search was conducted on September 11, 2024 with the following search terms: “SSH”,
“TLS”, “Cisco IOS XE”, “IOS-XE 17.12”, “Cisco Catalyst”, “Catalyst 9400X”, “Catalyst
9600X”, “C9404R”, “C9407R”, “C9410R”, “C9606R”, “Intel Xeon D-1548”, “Intel Xeon D-
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1573N”, “Intel Broadwell”, “IOS Common Cryptographic Module”, “IC2M”, “IC2M Rel5a”,
“CiscoSSL FIPS Object Module”, “CiscoSSL FOM 7.2a”, “CDR5M PHY”, “MACsec”,
“MACsec Controller”, “MSC”, “UADP 2.0”, “Unified Access Data Plane”.
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 Catalyst 9400CX/9600X Series
Switches 17.12 CC Configuration Guide (AGD) document. As noted in the ST, AAR, and AGD,
setting the session inactivity period to “0” disables it; consumers should ensure it is set to a value
greater than “0” to be in the evaluated configuration.
As noted in Section 6, consumers are encouraged to download the configuration guides from the
NIAP website to ensure the device is configured as evaluated. No versions of the TOE and
software, either earlier or later, were evaluated. Any additional customer documentation, not listed
in Section 6, provided with the product, or that which may be available online, was not included
in the scope of the evaluation and therefore, should not be relied upon to configure or operate the
TOE as evaluated.
The validation team suggests that the consumer pay particular attention to the evaluated
configuration of the TOE. 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.
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11 Annexes
Not applicable
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12 Security Target
The Security Target is identified as: Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12 Security
Target, Version 0.5, September 11, 2024.
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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.
Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Validation Report Version 1.0, September 17, 2024
Series Switches 17.12
22
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
(NDcPP22e).
[5] PP-Module for MACsec Ethernet Encryption, Version 1.0, 02 March 2023 (MACSEC10).
[6] Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12 Security Target, Version 0.5,
September 11, 2024 (ST).
[7] Assurance Activity Report for Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12, Version
0.2, September 11, 2024 (AAR).
[8] Detailed Test Report for Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12, Version 0.2,
September 11, 2024 (DTR).
[9] Supplemental MACsec Detailed Test Report for Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series
Switches 17.12, Version 0.1, August 20, 2024 (sDTR).
[10] Evaluation Technical Report for Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12,
Version 0.2, September 11, 2024 (ETR).
[11] Cisco Catalyst 9400X/9600X Series Switches 17.12 CC Configuration Guide, Version
0.3, September 11, 2024 (AGD).