Vulnerability Discussion

The macOS must be configured to require that at least one lowercase character and one uppercase character be used when a password is created.

This rule enforces password complexity by requiring users to set passwords that are less vulnerable to malicious users.

NOTE: The guidance for password-based authentication in NIST 800-53 (Rev 5) and NIST 800-63B states that complexity rules should be organizationally defined. The values defined are based on common complexity values, but each organization may define its own password complexity rules.

NOTE: The configuration profile generated must be installed from a Mobile Device Management (MDM) server.

Satisfies: SRG-OS-000069-GPOS-00037, SRG-OS-000070-GPOS-00038, SRG-OS-000730-GPOS-00190

Check

Verify the macOS system is configured to require that passwords contain a minimum of one lowercase character and one uppercase character with the following command:

/usr/bin/pwpolicy -getaccountpolicies 2> /dev/null | /usr/bin/tail +2 | /usr/bin/xmllint --xpath 'boolean(//*[contains(text(),"policyAttributePassword matches '\''^(?=.*[A-Z])(?=.*[a-z])(?=.*[0-9]).*$'\''")])' -

If the result is not "true", this is a finding.

Fix

Configure the macOS system to require at least one lowercase character and one uppercase character in password complexity by installing the "com.apple.mobiledevice.passwordpolicy" configuration profile.