PCI_DSS_v4Requirement 3voice-validated
PCI_DSS_v4 R3: Requirement 3
PCI_DSS_v4
AL
Founder at SQUR · last verified 2026-10-06
Regulation text
Protection methods such as encryption, truncation, masking, and hashing are critical components of account data protection. If an intruder circumvents other security controls and gains access to encrypted account data, without the proper cryptographic keys, the data is unreadable and unusable. Other effective methods of protecting stored data should also be considered as potential risk-mitigation opportunities.
ATT&CK techniques this article tests · 15
| Technique | Why it maps | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| T1190 | 1. Attackers exploit public-facing applications to gain initial access, bypassing perimeter controls before targeting account data. This circumvents security controls mentioned in PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 80% |
| T1566 | 2. Phishing campaigns acquire credentials, granting unauthorized access to systems that store or manage protected account data, as per PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 70% |
| T1003 | 3. OS credential dumping extracts credentials, potentially leading to access to cryptographic keys or systems holding unencrypted account data, directly impacting PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3 protections. | 90% |
| T1552 | 4. Attackers find unsecured credentials, which can grant access to protected account data or key management systems, undermining PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 90% |
| T1083 | 5. File and directory discovery locates account data files, even if encrypted, for subsequent collection or exfiltration, as targeted by PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 90% |
| T1005 | 6. Data from local systems is collected by attackers, including encrypted account data, after gaining unauthorized access, challenging PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3's data protection. | 90% |
| T1039 | 7. Data from network shared drives is collected, including encrypted account data, if access controls are circumvented, as addressed by PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 80% |
| T1041 | 8. Exfiltration over C2 channels moves collected, potentially encrypted, account data out of the environment, directly impacting the protection goals of PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 90% |
| T1567 | 9. Exfiltration over web services moves sensitive account data, potentially bypassing network egress controls designed to protect data under PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 80% |
| T1485 | 10. Data destruction impacts the availability of account data if protection methods fail, directly contradicting the integrity objectives of PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 70% |
| T1486 | 11. Data encrypted for impact (ransomware) renders account data unusable, aligning with the control's concern for data usability without proper keys, as per PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 60% |
| T1070.004 | 12. Indicator removal on host, such as file deletion, removes evidence of unauthorized access to protected account data, hindering detection efforts related to PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 70% |
| T1027 | 13. Obfuscated files or information are used by attackers to hide exfiltrated data or malicious tools, evading detection during data handling, as addressed by PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 70% |
| T1068 | 14. Exploitation for privilege escalation grants higher access, enabling attackers to bypass controls and access protected account data or cryptographic keys, as per PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 80% |
| T1547.001 | 15. Boot or logon autostart execution establishes persistence, maintaining access to systems that store or process account data, thereby threatening PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3 protections. | 70% |
Defending mitigations · 6
| Mitigation | What it does | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| M1031 | 1. Encryption, truncation, masking, and hashing are explicitly mandated by PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3 for protecting account data, rendering it unreadable without proper keys. | 90% |
| M1040 | 2. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions detect and prevent unauthorized exfiltration of sensitive account data, reinforcing the protection methods of PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 80% |
| M1035 | 3. Limiting access to resources restricts unauthorized access to systems, account data, and cryptographic keys, directly supporting PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3's objectives. | 90% |
| M1026 | 4. Privileged account management secures accounts with access to sensitive data and key management systems, preventing circumvention of controls as per PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 80% |
| M1017 | 5. User account management ensures only authorized personnel access systems containing account data, upholding the access control principles of PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 70% |
| M1047 | 6. Auditing and logging detect unauthorized attempts to access or circumvent data protection mechanisms, providing visibility into compliance with PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 70% |
Underlying weaknesses · 6
| CWE | Why it persists | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| CWE-311 | 1. Missing encryption of sensitive data directly violates PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3, which mandates protection methods like encryption, truncation, masking, and hashing. | 90% |
| CWE-312 | 2. Cleartext storage of sensitive information contradicts PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3's directive to protect account data, making it readable and usable without proper controls. | 90% |
| CWE-326 | 3. Inadequate encryption strength, such as weak algorithms, renders encrypted data vulnerable, undermining the protection methods required by PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 80% |
| CWE-327 | 4. Use of a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm fails to provide adequate protection for account data, directly conflicting with PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 80% |
| CWE-200 | 6. Exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor occurs when protection methods fail, directly resulting in non-compliance with PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3. | 70% |
| CWE-522 | 7. Insufficiently protected credentials can grant unauthorized access to systems storing or managing protected account data, circumventing PCI DSS v4 Requirement 3 controls. | 70% |
What SQUR Covers
Web application + API pentesting for OWASP Top 10, business logic flaws, authentication bypass, injection attacks, and other application-layer vulnerabilities. €1,995 per scan, 24-hour turnaround, EU-only data.
What SQUR Does Not Cover
Internal network pentesting, endpoint security testing, physical security assessments, social engineering, or ICT third-party concentration risk reviews. Engage a complementary provider for those scope items.
Provenance
Mapped Q2.2026 using gemini-2.5-flash · €0.0181 compute · voice-rubric self-validated · 1 hallucination(s) dropped at validation