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← Back to Apple macOS 12 (Monterey) Security Technical Implementation Guide

V-252454

CAT II (Medium)

The macOS system must be configured with dedicated user accounts to decrypt the hard disk upon startup.

Rule ID

SV-252454r991589_rule

STIG

Apple macOS 12 (Monterey) Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V1R9

CCIs

CCI-002143

Discussion

When "FileVault" and Multifactor Authentication are configured on the operating system, a dedicated user must be configured to ensure that the implemented Multifactor Authentication rules are enforced. If a dedicated user is not configured to decrypt the hard disk upon startup, the system will allow a user to bypass Multifactor Authentication rules during initial startup and first login.

Check Content

For Apple Silicon-based systems, this is Not Applicable. 

For Intel-based Macs, retrieve a list of authorized FileVault users:

$ sudo fdesetup list

fvuser,85F41F44-22B3-6CB7-85A1-BCC2EA2B887A

If any unauthorized users are listed, this is a finding.

Verify that the shell for authorized FileVault users is set to “/usr/bin/false”, which prevents console logins:

$ sudo dscl . read /Users/<FileVault_User> UserShell

UserShell: /usr/bin/false

If the FileVault users' shell is not set to "/usr/bin/false", this is a finding.

Fix Text

Note: In previous versions of macOS, this setting was implemented differently. Systems that used the previous method should prepare the system for the new method by creating a new unlock user, verifying its ability to unlock FileVault after reboot, then deleting the old FileVault unlock user. 


Disable the login ability of the newly created user account:

$ sudo /usr/bin/dscl . change /Users/<FileVault_User> UserShell </path/to/current/shell> /usr/bin/false

Remove all FileVault login access from each user account defined on the system that is not a designated FileVault user:

$ sudo fdesetup remove -user <username>