The operating system must employ a deny-all, permit-by-exception policy to allow the execution of authorized software programs.

From Apple OS X 10.11 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Part of SRG-OS-000370-GPOS-00155

Associated with: CCI-001774

SV-82055r1_rule The operating system must employ a deny-all, permit-by-exception policy to allow the execution of authorized software programs.

Vulnerability discussion

Application Restrictions must be enabled for user accounts and configured to only allow users to execute approved applications. Utilizing a whitelist such as Application Restrictions provides a configuration management method for allowing the execution of only authorized software. Using only authorized software decreases risk by limiting the number of potential vulnerabilities.The organization must identify authorized software programs and permit execution of authorized software. The process used to identify software programs that are authorized to execute on organizational information systems is commonly referred to as whitelisting.

Check content

To check if there is a configuration policy defined for "Application Restrictions", run the following command: /usr/sbin/system_profiler SPConfigurationProfileDataType | /usr/bin/grep "familyControlsEnabled = 1;" If nothing is returned, this is a finding. Built-in applications such as "FaceTime", "Game Center", "Mail", "Contacts", "Calendar", "Reminders", "Notes", and "Messages" should be evaluated against mission needs and should only appear in the list of allowed applications if specifically required.

Fix text

This setting is enforced using the "Applications Restrictions Policy" configuration profile.

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