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V-277144

CAT II (Medium)

The macOS system must require that passwords contain a minimum of one numeric character.

Rule ID

SV-277144r1148884_rule

STIG

Apple macOS 26 (Tahoe) Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V1R2

CCIs

CCI-004066

Discussion

The macOS must be configured to require at least one numeric 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 must be organizationally defined. The values defined are based on common complexity values, but each organization may define its own password complexity rules.

Check Content

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

/usr/bin/pwpolicy -getaccountpolicies 2> /dev/null | /usr/bin/tail +2 | /usr/bin/xmllint --xpath '//dict/key[text()="policyIdentifier"]/following-sibling::*[1]/text()' - | /usr/bin/grep "requireAlphanumeric" -c

If the result is not "1", this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the macOS system to require that passwords contain a minimum of one numeric character by installing the "com.apple.mobiledevice.passwordpolicy" configuration profile.