Title

Apple iOS must not display notifications while the device is locked. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

If the mobile operating system were to display notifications or calendar information on the lock screen, an adversary may be able to gather sensitive data without needing to unlock the device. This adversary may use this gathered intelligence to plan future attacks and possibly a physical attack. By disabling notifications on the lock screen this prevents sensitive data from being displayed openly on the device’s lock screen.

Check Content

This check procedure is performed on the iOS Over-the-Air management tool and the iOS device. Note: If an organization has multiple configuration profiles, then the check procedure must be performed on the relevant configuration profiles applicable to the scope of the review. In the iOS Over-the-Air management tool, verify "Show Notification Center in lock screen" is unchecked. For example, in Apple Configurator: 1. Ask the MDM administrator to open the relevant configuration profile. 2. Display the "Restrictions" payload. 3. Verify "Show Notification Center in lock screen" is unchecked. Alternatively, verify the text "<key>allowLockScreenNotificationsView</key> <false/>" appears in the configuration profile (.mobileconfig file). On the iOS device: 1. Open the Settings app. 2. Tap "Notification Center". 3. Verify "Notifications View" is off. If "Show Notification Center in lock screen" is checked in the iOS Over-the-Air management tool, "<key>allowLockScreenNotificationsView</key> <true/>" appears in the configuration profile, or "Notifications View" is toggled to the right and appears green on the iOS device, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure Apple iOS to disable Notification Center from the device lock screen. In the iOS Over-the-Air management tool, uncheck "Show Notification Center in lock screen". For example, in Apple Configurator, uncheck "Show Notification Center in lock screen" in the "Restrictions" payload.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID:

Vulnerability ID: V-43220

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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