Check: AOSX-14-000021
Apple OS X 10.14 (Mojave) STIG:
AOSX-14-000021
(in versions v2 r6 through v1 r2)
Title
The macOS system must enforce an account lockout time period of 15 minutes in which a user makes three consecutive invalid logon attempts. (Cat II impact)
Discussion
Setting a lockout time period of 15 minutes is an effective deterrent against brute forcing that also makes allowances for legitimate mistakes by users. When three invalid logon attempts are made, the account will be locked.
Check Content
Password policy can be set with a configuration profile or the "pwpolicy" utility. If password policy is set with a configuration profile, run the following command to check if the system has the correct setting for the logon reset timer: /usr/sbin/system_profiler SPConfigurationProfileDataType | /usr/bin/grep minutesUntilFailedLoginReset If the return is null or not "minutesUntilFailedLoginReset = 15", this is a finding. If password policy is set with the "pwpolicy" utility, the variable names may vary depending on how the policy was set. To check if the password policy is configured to disable an account for 15 minutes after 3 unsuccessful logon attempts, run the following command to output the password policy to the screen: /usr/bin/sudo /usr/bin/pwpolicy getaccountpolicies Look for the line "<key>policyCategoryAuthentication</key>". If this does not exist, and password policy is not controlled by a directory service, this is a finding. In the array that follows, there should be one or more <dict> sections that describe policy checks. One should contain a <string> that allows users to log on if "policyAttributeFailedAuthentications" is less than "policyAttributeMaximumFailedAuthentications". Under policyParameters, "policyAttributeMaximumFailedAuthentications" should be set to "3". If "policyAttributeMaximumFailedAuthentications" is not set to "3", this is a finding. In the same check or in another <dict> section, there should be a <string> that allows users to log on if the "policyAttributeCurrentTime" is greater than the result of adding "15" minutes (900 seconds) to "policyAttributeLastFailedAuthenticationTime". The check might use a variable defined in its "policyParameters" section. If the check does not exist or if the check adds too great an amount of time, this is a finding.
Fix Text
This setting may be enforced using the "Passcode Policy" configuration profile or by a directory service. The following two lines within the configuration enforce lockout expiration to "15" minutes: <key>autoEnableInSeconds</key> <integer>900</integer> To set the passcode policy without a configuration profile, run the following command to save a copy of the current "pwpolicy" account policy file: /usr/bin/sudo /usr/bin/pwpolicy getaccountpolicies | tail -n +2 > pwpolicy.plist Open the generated file in a text editor and ensure it contains the following text after the opening <dict> tag and before the closing </dict> tag. Replace <dict/> first with <dict></dict> if necessary. <key>policyCategoryAuthentication</key> <array> <dict> <key>policyContent</key> <string>(policyAttributeFailedAuthentications < policyAttributeMaximumFailedAuthentications) OR (policyAttributeCurrentTime > (policyAttributeLastFailedAuthenticationTime + autoEnableInSeconds))</string> <key>policyIdentifier</key> <string>Authentication Lockout</string> <key>policyParameters</key> <dict> <key>autoEnableInSeconds</key> <integer>900</integer> <key>policyAttributeMaximumFailedAuthentications</key> <integer>3</integer> </dict> </dict> </array> If the line "<key>policyCategoryAuthentication</key>" already exists, the following text should be used instead and inserted after the first <array> tag that follows it: <dict> <key>policyContent</key> <string>(policyAttributeFailedAuthentications < policyAttributeMaximumFailedAuthentications) OR (policyAttributeCurrentTime > (policyAttributeLastFailedAuthenticationTime + autoEnableInSeconds))</string> <key>policyIdentifier</key> <string>Authentication Lockout</string> <key>policyParameters</key> <dict> <key>autoEnableInSeconds</key> <integer>900</integer> <key>policyAttributeMaximumFailedAuthentications</key> <integer>3</integer> </dict> </dict> After saving the file and exiting to the command prompt, run the following command to load the new policy file: /usr/bin/sudo /usr/bin/pwpolicy setaccountpolicies pwpolicy.plist Note: Updates to passcode 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-209537r610285_rule
Vulnerability ID: V-209537
Group Title: SRG-OS-000329-GPOS-00128
Expert Comments
CCIs
Number | Definition |
---|---|
CCI-002238 |
The information system automatically locks the account or node for either an organization-defined time period, until the locked account or node is released by an administrator, or delays the next logon prompt according to the organization-defined delay algorithm when the maximum number of unsuccessful logon attempts is exceeded. |
Controls
Number | Title |
---|---|
AC-7 |
Unsuccessful Logon Attempts |