Title

Apple iOS must limit advertisers tracking abilities. (Cat III impact)

Discussion

Advertisers tracking abilities refers to the advertisers ability to categorize the device and spam the user with ads that are most relevant to the users preferences. By not “Force limiting ad tracking”, advertising companies are able to gather information about the user and device’s browsing habits. If “Limit Ad Tracking” is not limited a database of browsing habits of DoD devices can be gathered and store under no supervision of the DoD. By limiting ad tracking, this setting does not completely mitigate the risk but it limits the amount of information gathering.

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 "Force limited ad tracking" is checked. For example, in Apple Configurator: 1. Ask the MDM administrator to open the relevant configuration profile. 2. Display the "Restrictions" payload. 3. Verify "Force limited ad tracking" is checked. Alternatively, verify the text "<key>forceLimitAdTracking</key><true/>" appears in the configuration profile (.mobileconfig file). On the iOS device: 1. Open the Settings application. 2. Tap "Privacy". 3. Tap "Advertising". 4. Verify that "Limit Ad Tracking" is on. If "Force limited ad tracking" is unchecked in the iOS Over-the-Air management tool, "<key>forceLimitAdTracking</key><false/>" appears in the configuration profile, or if "Limit Ad Tracking" is toggled to the left and does not appear green on the iOS device, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure Apple iOS to limit advertisers' ability to track the user's web browsing preferences. In the iOS Over-the-Air management tool, check "Force limited ad tracking". For example, in Apple Configurator, check "Force limited ad tracking" in the "Restrictions" payload.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID:

Vulnerability ID: V-43231

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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