Title

Apple iOS must enforce a minimum length of 6 for the device unlock password. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Password complexity, or strength, is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting guessing and brute force attacks. The ability to crack a password is a function of how many attempts an adversary is permitted, how quickly an adversary can do each attempt, and the size of the password space. The longer the minimum length of the password is, the larger the password space.

Check Content

This check procedure is performed on both 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 the "Minimum passcode length" value is set to 6 or more. For example, in Mobile Iron Admin Portal: 1. Ask the MDM administrator to display the "POLICIES & CONFIGS". 2. Click or tap on the word "Policies". 3. Click or tap the policy name. 4. Expand "Details" under "Policy Details". 5. Verify "Minimum Password Length" is 6 or greater. Alternatively, verify the text "<key>minLength</key> <integer>6</integer>" appears in the configuration profile (.mobileconfig file). It also is acceptable for the integer value to be greater than 6. On the iOS device: 1. Open the Settings app. 2. Tap "General". 3. Tap "Profiles". 4. Verify the password policy from the iOS Over-the-Air management tool is present. If the "Minimum passcode length" is less than 6 characters in the iOS Over-the-Air management tool, "<key>minLength</key> " has an integer value of less than 6, or the password policy from the iOS Over-the-Air management tool is not present on the iOS device, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure Apple iOS to enforce a minimum length for the device unlock password. In the iOS Over-the-Air management tool, configure the "Minimum passcode length" to a value of 6 or more. For example, in Mobile Iron Admin Portal, edit the policy and enter 6 in "Minimum Password Length".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID:

Vulnerability ID: V-43207

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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