Title

The macOS system must be configured to disable Remote Apple Events. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

It is detrimental for operating systems to provide, or install by default, functionality exceeding requirements or mission objectives. These unnecessary capabilities or services are often overlooked and therefore may remain unsecured. They increase the risk to the platform by providing additional attack vectors. Operating systems are capable of providing a wide variety of functions and services. Some of the functions and services, provided by default, may not be necessary to support essential organizational operations (e.g., key missions, functions). Examples of non-essential capabilities include but are not limited to games, software packages, tools, and demonstration software not related to requirements or providing a wide array of functionality not required for every mission but that cannot be disabled. Remote Apple Events must be disabled.

Check Content

To check if Remote Apple Events is disabled, use the following command: /bin/launchctl print-disabled system | /usr/bin/grep com.apple.AEServer If the results do not show the following, this is a finding. "com.apple.AEServer" => true

Fix Text

To disable Remote Apple Events, run the following command: /usr/bin/sudo /bin/launchctl disable system/com.apple.AEServer The system may need to be restarted for the update to take effect.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-230806r599842_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-230806

Group Title: SRG-OS-000096-GPOS-00050

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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