Title

The macOS system must allow only applications that have a valid digital signature to run. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Gatekeeper settings must be configured correctly to only allow the system to run applications signed with a valid Apple Developer ID code. Administrator users will still have the option to override these settings on a per-app basis. Gatekeeper is a security feature that ensures that applications must be digitally signed by an Apple-issued certificate in order to run. Digital signatures allow the macOS host to verify that the application has not been modified by a malicious third party.

Check Content

Identify any unsigned applications that have been installed on the system: /usr/sbin/system_profiler SPApplicationsDataType | /usr/bin/grep -B 3 -A 4 -e "Obtained from: Unknown" | /usr/bin/grep -v -e "Location: /Library/Application Support/Script Editor/Templates" -e "Location: /System/Library/" | /usr/bin/awk -F "Location: " '{print $2}' | /usr/bin/sort -u If any results are returned and is not documented with the Information System Security Officer (ISSO) as an operational requirement, this is a finding. Verify only applications with a valid digital signature are allowed to run: /usr/sbin/system_profiler SPConfigurationProfileDataType | /usr/bin/grep -E '(EnableAssessment | AllowIdentifiedDevelopers)' If the return is null or is not the following, this is a finding: AllowIdentifiedDevelopers = 1; EnableAssessment = 1;

Fix Text

This setting is enforced using the "Restrictions Policy" configuration profile.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-252511r816347_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-252511

Group Title: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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