Check: AOSX-12-000590
Apple OS X 10.12 STIG:
AOSX-12-000590
(in versions v1 r6 through v1 r1)
Title
The OS X system must enforce a minimum 15-character password length. (Cat II impact)
Discussion
The minimum password length must be set to 15 characters. Password complexity, or strength, is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting attempts at guessing and brute-force attacks. Password length is one factor of several that helps to determine strength and how long it takes to crack a password. The use of more characters in a password helps to exponentially increase the time and/or resources required to compromise the password.
Check Content
To check the currently applied policies for passwords and accounts, use the following command: /usr/bin/sudo /usr/sbin/system_profiler SPConfigurationProfileDataType | /usr/bin/grep minLength The parameter minLength should be "15". If it is less than "15", this is a finding.
Fix Text
This setting is enforced using the "Passcode Policy" configuration profile. Note: Updates to password restrictions must be thoroughly evaluated in a test environment. Mistakes in configuration may block password change and local user creation operations, as well as lock out all local users, including administrators.
Additional Identifiers
Rule ID: SV-90767r1_rule
Vulnerability ID: V-76079
Group Title: SRG-OS-000078-GPOS-00046
Expert Comments
CCIs
Number | Definition |
---|---|
CCI-000205 |
The information system enforces minimum password length. |
Controls
Number | Title |
---|---|
IA-5 (1) |
Password-Based Authentication |