The macOS system must require users to reauthenticate for privilege escalation when using the "sudo" command.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-274881	APPL-15-004022	SV-274881r1099904_rule		Medium

Description

The file /etc/sudoers must include a timestamp_timout of 0. Without reauthentication, users may access resources or perform tasks for which they do not have authorization. When operating systems provide the capability to escalate a functional capability or change user authenticators, it is critical the user reauthenticate. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00156,SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157

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

Details

Check Text (C-78982r1099902_chk)

Verify the macOS system requires reauthentication when using the "sudo" command to elevate privileges with the following command:

/usr/bin/sudo /usr/bin/sudo -V | /usr/bin/grep -c "Authentication timestamp timeout: 0.0 minutes"

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

Fix Text (F-78887r1099903_fix)

Configure the macOS system to require reauthentication when using "sudo" with the following command:

/usr/bin/find /etc/sudoers* -type f -exec sed -i '' '/timestamp_timeout/d' '{}' \;
/bin/echo "Defaults timestamp_timeout=0" >> /etc/sudoers.d/mscp