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APPL-15-005070 The macOS system must enable Authenticated Root.

DISA STIG library V1R8
All changes in this version
first version loaded CAT II

Maps to AC-3 via CCI-000213

Title

The macOS system must enable Authenticated Root.

Control

Verify the macOS system is configured to enable authenticated root with the following command: /usr/libexec/mdmclient QuerySecurityInfo | /usr/bin/grep -c "AuthenticatedRootVolumeEnabled = 1;" If the result is not "1", this is a finding.

Discussion

Authenticated Root must be enabled. When Authenticated Root is enabled, the macOS is booted from a signed volume that is cryptographically protected to prevent tampering with the system volume. NOTE: Authenticated Root is enabled by default on macOS systems. WARNING: If more than one partition with macOS is detected, the csrutil command will hang awaiting input.

Related controls

CCI-000213

Fix

Configure the macOS system to enable authenticated root with the following command: /usr/bin/csrutil authenticated-root enable NOTE: To reenable "Authenticated Root", boot the affected system into "Recovery" mode, launch "Terminal" from the "Utilities" menu, and run the command.