Title

Apple iOS/iPadOS 15 must implement the management setting: use SSL for Exchange ActiveSync. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Exchange email messages are a form of data in transit and thus are vulnerable to eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), also referred to as Transport Layer Security (TLS), provides encryption and authentication services that mitigate the risk of breach. SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #47

Check Content

Review configuration settings to confirm "Use SSL" for the Exchange account is enabled. This check procedure is performed on both the Apple iOS/iPadOS management tool and the iPhone and iPad. Note: If an organization has multiple configuration profiles, the check procedure must be performed on the relevant configuration profiles applicable to the scope of the review. In the Apple iOS/iPadOS management tool, verify "Use SSL" is checked under the Exchange payload. Alternatively, verify the text "<key>SSL</key><true/>" appears in the configuration profile (.mobileconfig file). On the iPhone and iPad: 1. Open the Settings app. 2. Tap "General". 3. Tap "Profiles & Device Management" or "Profiles". 4. Tap the Configuration Profile from the Apple iOS/iPadOS management tool containing the Exchange policy. 5. Tap "Accounts". 6. Tap the name of the Exchange account. 7. Verify "SSL" is set to "Yes". If "Use SSL" is unchecked in the Apple iOS/iPadOS management tool, "<key>SSL</key><false/>" appears in the configuration profile, or the Exchange policy on the iPhone and iPad has "SSL" set to "No", this is a finding.

Fix Text

Install a configuration profile to use SSL for Exchange ActiveSync.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-250956r801959_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-250956

Group Title: PP-MDF-990000

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.