Title

Apple iOS must limit Ad Tracking. (Cat III impact)

Discussion

Ad Tracking refers to the advertisers’ ability to categorize the device and spam the user with ads that are most relevant to the user’s 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 stored 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. SFR ID: FMT_SMF.1.1 #42

Check Content

Review configuration settings to confirm “Force limited ad tracking” is checked. This check procedure is performed on both the iOS 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 management tool, 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 management tool, "<key>forceLimitAdTracking</key><false/>" appears in the configuration profile, or "Limit Ad Tracking" is toggled to the left and does not appear green on the iOS device, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Install a Configuration Profile to limit advertisers' ability to track the user's web browsing preferences.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID:

Vulnerability ID: V-54259

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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