DISA STIGS Viewer

The macOS system must authorize USB devices before allowing connection.

Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-268567 APPL-15-005090 SV-268567r1034641_rule   Medium
Description
USB devices connected to a Mac must be authorized. [IMPORTANT] ==== This feature is removed if a smart card is paired or smart card attribute mapping is configured. ==== Without authenticating devices, unidentified or unknown devices may be introduced, thereby facilitating malicious activity. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000378-GPOS-00163, SRG-OS-000690-GPOS-00140
STIG Date
Apple macOS 15 (Sequoia) Security Technical Implementation Guide 2025-05-05

Details

Check Text (C-72597r1034639_chk)
Verify the macOS system is configured to authorize USB devices before allowing connection with the following command:

/usr/bin/osascript -l JavaScript << EOS
function run() {
let pref1 = ObjC.unwrap($.NSUserDefaults.alloc.initWithSuiteName('com.apple.applicationaccess')\
.objectForKey('allowUSBRestrictedMode'))
if ( pref1 == false ) {
return("false")
} else {
return("true")
}
}
EOS

If the result is not "true", this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-72498r1034640_fix)
Configure the macOS system to authorize USB devices before allowing connection by installing the "com.apple.applicationaccess" configuration profile.