Title

The macOS system must only allow applications with 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 to run. Digital signatures allow the macOS host to verify that the application has not been modified by a malicious third party.

Check Content

Verify the macOS system is configured to only allow applications with a valid digital signature with the following commands: /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 result is not as follows, this is a finding. "AllowIdentifiedDevelopers = 1; EnableAssessment = 1;"

Fix Text

Configure the macOS system to only allow applications with a valid digital signature by installing the "Restrictions Policy" configuration profile.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-257217r905284_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-257217

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

Expert Comments

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