Vulnerability Discussion

The macOS be configured to require 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 state that complexity rules should be organizationally defined. The values defined are based on common complexity values, but an organization may define its own password complexity rules.

Note: The configuration profile generated must be installed from an MDM server.

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

Check

Verify the macOS system is configured to require 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]{1,}[a-z]{1,}.*'\''")])' -

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.