Check: AOSX-13-000555
Apple OS X 10.13 STIG:
AOSX-13-000555
(in versions v2 r5 through v1 r1)
Title
The macOS system must unload tftpd. (Cat I impact)
Discussion
The "tftp" service must be disabled as it sends all data in a clear-text form that can be easily intercepted and read. The data needs to be protected at all times during transmission, and encryption is the standard method for protecting data in transit. If the data is not encrypted during transmission, it can be plainly read (i.e., clear text) and easily compromised. Disabling ftp is one way to mitigate this risk. Administrators should be instructed to use an alternate service for data transmission that uses encryption, such as SFTP. Additionally, the "tftp" service uses UDP, which is not secure.
Check Content
To check if the "tfptd" service is disabled, run the following command: sudo launchctl print-disabled system | grep tftp If "com.apple.tftp" is not set to "true", this is a finding.
Fix Text
To disable the "tfpd" service, run the following command: sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist
Additional Identifiers
Rule ID: SV-214869r609363_rule
Vulnerability ID: V-214869
Group Title: SRG-OS-000074-GPOS-00042
Expert Comments
CCIs
Number | Definition |
---|---|
CCI-000197 |
The information system, for password-based authentication, transmits only cryptographically-protected passwords. |
Controls
Number | Title |
---|---|
IA-5 (1) |
Password-Based Authentication |