The macOS system must apply gatekeeper settings to block applications from unidentified developers.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-268508	APPL-15-002060	SV-268508r1034464_rule		High

Description

The information system implements cryptographic mechanisms to authenticate software prior to installation. Gatekeeper settings must be configured correctly to allow the system to run only applications downloaded from the Mac App Store or applications signed with a valid Apple Developer ID code. Administrator users will still have the option to override these settings on a per-app basis. Gatekeeper is a security feature that ensures that applications must be digitally signed by an Apple-issued certificate to run. Digital signatures allow the macOS to verify that the application has not been modified by a malicious third party.

STIG	Date
Apple macOS 15 (Sequoia) Security Technical Implementation Guide	2025-05-05

Details

Check Text (C-72538r1034462_chk)

Verify the macOS system is configured to apply gatekeeper settings to block applications from unidentified developers with the following command:

/usr/sbin/spctl --status --verbose | /usr/bin/grep -c "developer id enabled"

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

Fix Text (F-72439r1034463_fix)

Configure the macOS system to apply gatekeeper settings to block applications from unidentified developers with the following command:

/usr/sbin/spctl --global-enable; /usr/sbin/spctl --enable