MAC OSX 10.9 Hardening

How to harden your MAC OS X

This is a guide to help all administrators that want to have a well harden MAC OS X Operating system.
This is a reference, your needs might be different but this might be considered a base line for starting the hardening.
The Version for this document is OS X 10.9
I will try to do another for the latest version OS X 10.10 with the differences

I will use the terminal commands to make it easier for administrators to build custom scripts and deploy them in automated way.

1 – Updates

List available software for updates

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softwareupdate -l

if there is no software that needs to be updated the result will be “no new software available”

Install all Available software

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sudo softwareupdate -i packagename

Enable Auto Update

Verify the status:

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticCheckEnabled

Make sure the result is: 1

Configure auto update:

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticCheckEnabled -int 1

Update applications

Verify the status:

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.storeagent AutoUpdate

Verify the value returned is: 1

Configure App auto update:

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.storeagent AutoUpdate -int 1

Enable system and security update

Verify the status:

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate | egrep '(ConfigDataInstall|CriticalUpdateInstall)'

Value the value returned: ConfigDataInstall = 1; CriticalUpdateInstall = 1;

Configure Security Auto Updates

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate ConfigDataInstall -int 1 && sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CriticalUpdateInstall -int 1

Configuring System Preferences

Disable Bluetooth

Verify the status:

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth ControllerPowerState

Verify return value: 0

If value is 1 bluetooth is enabled
Check if there are paired devices:

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system_profiler | grep "Bluetooth:" -A 20 | grep Connectable

Verify return value: Connectable:Yes

Disable Bluetooth if no device is connected:

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth \ ControllerPowerState -int 0
sudo killall -HUP blued

Disable Bluetooth Discoverable mode

Verify the status:

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/usr/sbin/system_profiler SPBluetoothDataType | grep -i discoverable

Verify returned value is: Off

Disable discoverable bluetooth

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uuid=`/usr/sbin/system_profiler SPHardwareDataType | grep "Hardware UUID" | cut -c22-57`
/usr/bin/defaults write /Users/$@/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.Bluetooth.$uuid DiscoverableState -bool "no"
/usr/sbin/chown $@ /Users/$@/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.Bluetooth.$uuid.plist

Show the bluetooth status in the menu bar

Verify the status:

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defaults read com.apple.systemuiserver menuExtras | grep Bluetooth.menu

Verify the returned value is: /System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/Bluetooth.menu

show status in the status menu bar:

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defaults write com.apple.systemuiserver menuExtras -array-add "/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/Bluetooth.menu"

Automatic set Date and time

Verify the status:

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sudo systemsetup -getusingnetworktime

Verify the output is: Network Time: 0

Configure auto update Date and Time:

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sudo systemsetup –setnetworktimeserver

Activate Screen Saver

Verify the device status:

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UUID=`ioreg -rd1 -c IOPlatformExpertDevice | grep "IOPlatformUUID" | sed -e 's/^.* "\(.*\)"$/\1/'`
for i in $(find /Users -type d -maxdepth 1)
      do PREF=$i/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.screensaver.$UUID
            if [ -e $PREF.plist ]
                 then
                      echo -n "Checking User: '$i': "
                      defaults read $PREF.plist idleTime 2>&1
            fi
done

Verify the output is the wanted value e.g.: <1200 for <20 than minutes

Verify user configured status:

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defaults -currentHost read com.apple.screensaver idleTime

Verify the output is the wanted value e.g.: <1200 for <20 than minutes

Configure Screen Saver after 10 minutes:

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defaults -currentHost write com.apple.screensaver idleTime -int 600

 Secure Screen Saver Corners

Verify the status:

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defaults read ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dock | grep -i corner

Verify that output is not 6 for any key user.

This is the script to disable hot corners but I was not able to find a specific script only for the hot corners that specifically disable screen saver, I will try to do one later.
This was taken from github.

/klynch/827581
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-- By Richard Kulesus, 2009.  Released without license!
-- Use this for whatever!
-- I seriously despise code authors who copyright tiny bits of obvious code
-- like it's some great treasure.  This is small and simple, and if it saves
-- the next guy some time and trouble coding applescript I'll feel good!
--
-- Quickly change all the hot-corners to do what you want.
-- Particularly useful for presentations and full-screen games.
-- Customize the activity of each hot-corner with "all windows/application windows/dashboard/disable screen saver/none/show desktop/show spaces/sleep display/start screen saver"
-- The MODIFIERS are the keys which can be used to supplement hot-corner activation.
-- Here I've set them all to {}, which is none.  Options are "command/control/none/option/shift"
-- Dashboard in a fullscreen application.
--
-- Version 1.0
--  - Initial release
--
tell application "System Events"
	activate
	if UI elements enabled then
		tell expose preferences
			set properties of the top left screen corner to {activity:none, modifiers:{}}
			set properties of the top right screen corner to {activity:none, modifiers:{}}
			set properties of the bottom left screen corner to {activity:none, modifiers:{}}
			set properties of the bottom right screen corner to {activity:none, modifiers:{}}
		end tell
	else
		tell application "System Preferences"
			activate
			set current pane to pane "com.apple.preference.universalaccess"
			display dialog "UI element scripting is not enabled. Check \"Enable access for assistive devices\""
		end tell
	end if
end tell
 
tell application "System Preferences" to quit

Confirm if sleep is configured with a value larger than the screen saver

Verify status:

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pmset -g | grep displaysleep

Configure sleep

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sudo pmset -c displaysleep 0

If the display sleeps before the screen saver is active the computer may be unlocked and available for an unauthorized user.

Set a Screen Corner to start the screen saver

Verify status:

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defaults read ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dock | grep -i corner

At least on of the corners should have the value of 5 for each user.
If not enable screen corner for the screen saver

An adaptation of the script that was done to enable hot corners that I found on github
In this example is for top left corner.
I did not test this script…

/klynch/827581
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-- By Richard Kulesus, 2009.  Released without license!
-- Use this for whatever!
-- I seriously despise code authors who copyright tiny bits of obvious code
-- like it's some great treasure.  This is small and simple, and if it saves
-- the next guy some time and trouble coding applescript I'll feel good!
--
-- Quickly change all the hot-corners to do what you want.
-- Particularly useful for presentations and full-screen games.
-- Customize the activity of each hot-corner with "all windows/application windows/dashboard/disable screen saver/none/show desktop/show spaces/sleep display/start screen saver"
-- The MODIFIERS are the keys which can be used to supplement hot-corner activation.
-- Here I've set them all to {}, which is none.  Options are "command/control/none/option/shift"
-- Dashboard in a fullscreen application.
--
-- Version 1.0
--  - Initial release
--
 
tell application "System Events"
	activate
	if UI elements enabled then
		tell expose preferences
			set properties of the top left screen corner to {activity:Start Screen Saver, modifiers:{}}
		end tell
	else
		tell application "System Preferences"
			activate
			set current pane to pane "com.apple.preference.universalaccess"
			display dialog "UI element scripting is not enabled. Check \"Enable access for assistive devices\""
		end tell
	end if
end tell
tell application "System Preferences" to quit

Another option could be the following:

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defaults write com.apple.dock wvous-tl-corner -string "Start Screen Saver"

Disable Remote Apple Events

Verify status:

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sudo systemsetup -getremoteappleevents

Verify output is: Remote Apple Events: Off

Disable:

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sudo systemsetup -setremoteappleevents off

Disable Internt Sharing

Verify:

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sudo defaults read /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.nat | \ grep -i Enabled

no output should be found

Disable:

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.nat \ NAT -dict Enabled -int 0
sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ \ com.apple.InternetSharing.plist

Disable Screen Sharing

Verify:

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sudo launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.screensharing.plist

Verify the value returned is: nothing found to load

Disable:

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sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.screensharing.plist

 Disable Printer Sharing

Verify:

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system_profiler SPPrintersDataType

The output should show “Shared: No” for all printers. If no printers are present, the above command will yield “Status: The printers list is empty.”

Disable:

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/usr/sbin/lpadmin -p printer -u allow:[your_username] ENTER

Disable Remote Login

Verify:

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sudo systemsetup -getremotelogin

Disable:

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sudo systemsetup -setremotelogin off

Disable DVD or CD Sharing

Verify:

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sudo launchctl list | egrep ODSAgent

Disable:

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defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser EnableODiskBrowsing -bool false
defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser ODSSupported -bool false

Disable File Sharing

Verify:

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sudo launchctl list | egrep '(ftp|nmdb|smdb|AppleFileServer)'

Disable:

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sudo launchctl unload -w \ /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.AppleFileServer.plist
sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ftp.plist
sudo defaults delete \
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.smb.server EnabledServices
sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/nmbd.plist
sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/smbd.plist

Disable Remote Management

Verify:

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ps -ef | egrep ARDAgent
Ensure /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Conten ts/MacOS/ARDAgent is not present

Disable:

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sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/kickstart -deactivate -stop

Disable Wake for network Access

Verify:

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pmset -g | grep womp

Disable:

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sudo pmset -a womp 0

Disable Sleeping When connected to power

Verify:

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pmset -g | grep sleep
Output should be 0

Disable:

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sudo pmset -c sleep 0

Enable File Vault

Verify:

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diskutil cs list | grep -i encryption
Output should be: Encryption Status: Unlocked and Encryption Type: AES-XTS

Configuration:

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fdesetup enable -user USERNAME -outputplist &gt; ~/recoverykey.plist

Enable gate Keeper

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sudo spctl --status

Configuring:

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sudo spctl --master-enable

Enable Firewall

Verify:

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.alf global state
Output Value should be: 1 or 2

Configuration:

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defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.alf global state - int
Value 1 for specific services 2 for essential services

Enable Secure Keyboard Entry

Verify:

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defaults read -app Terminal SecureKeyboardEntry

Output should be: 1
Configuration

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defaults write -app Terminal SecureKeyboardEntry true

Disable Core Dumps

Verify:

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launchctl limit core

Disable:

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launchctl limit core 0,/pre&gt;

Configure Secure Empty Trash

Verify:

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defaults read ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder EmptyTrashSecurely

Configure:

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defaults write ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder EmptyTrashSecurely true

Configuring Logging

Configure asl.conf

Verify:

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sudo egrep "^flags:" /etc/security/audit_control

Ensure at least the following flags are present:

  1. lo – audit successful/failed login/logout events
  2. ad – audit successful/failed administrative events
  3. fd – audit successful/failed file deletion events
  4. fm – audit successful/failed file attribute modification events o -all – audit all failed events across all audit classes

configuration:

  1. Open a terminal session and edit the /etc/security/audit_control file
  2. Find the line beginning with “flags”
  3. Add the following flags: lo, ad, fd, fm, -all.
  4. Save the file.

Retain System Log for 90 days

Verify:

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grep -i ttl /etc/asl.conf
Verify that the ttl for system.log is greater than 90 days

Configuration:

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sudo vim /etc/asl.conf

system.log mode=0640 format=bsd rotate=utc compress file_max=5M ttl=90

Retain appfirewall.log for 90 or more days

Verification:

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grep -i ttl /etc/asl.conf

Verify that the ttl for appfirewall.log is greater than 90 days

Configuration:

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sudo vim /etc/asl.conf

> appfirewall.log mode=0640 format=bsd rotate=utc compress file_max=5M ttl=90

Retain auth.log for 90 or more days

Verification:

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grep -i ttl /etc/asl/com.apple.authd

Configuration:

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sudo vim /etc/asl/com.apple.authd

* file /var/log/authd.log mode=0640 format=bsd rotate=utc compress file_max=5M ttl=90

Enable Security Auditing

Verification:

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sudo launchctl list | grep -i auditd

Configuration:

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sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.auditd.plist

Configure Security Auditing Flags

Verification:

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sudo egrep "^flags:" /etc/security/audit_control

Ensure at least the following flags are present:

  1. lo – audit successful/failed login/logout events
  2. ad – audit successful/failed administrative events
  3. fd – audit successful/failed file deletion events
  4. fm – audit successful/failed file attribute modification events o -all – audit all failed events across all audit classes

Configuration:

  1. Open a terminal session and edit the /etc/security/audit_control file
  2. Find the line beginning with “flags”
  3. Add the following flags: lo, ad, fd, fm, -all.
  4. Save the file.

Retain Install Log for defined days (xxx)

Verification:

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grep -i ttl /etc/asl/com.apple.install

Configuration

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sudo vim /etc/asl/com.apple.install

* file /var/log/install.log mode=0640 format=bsd rotate=utc compress file_max=5M ttl=xxx

Network Configurations

Disable Bonjur advertising service

Verification:

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.alf global state

Disable:

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sudo nano "/System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist"

Add string

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ProgramArguments
 
     /usr/sbin/mDNSResponder
     -launchd
     -NoMulticastAdvertisements

Enable Show wifi Status in Menu bar

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defaults read com.apple.systemuiserver menuExtras | grep AirPort.menu
Output should is: /System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/AirPort.menu

File System permissions and access controls

Secure Home Folders

Verification:

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ls -l /Users/
Output is: drwx—— and drwx–x–x

Configuration

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sudo chmod -R og-rwx /Users/

Or

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sudo chmod -R og-rw /Users/

Repair Permissions Regulary

Verification

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cat /var/log/system.log* | grep RepairPermissions

Configuration:

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diskutil repairPermissions /

Check Applications for proper Permissions

Verification:

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sudo find /Applications -iname "*\.app" -type d -perm -2 -ls
Output should be: drwxr-xr-x

Configuration:

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sudo chmod -R o-w /Applications/Bad\ Permissions.app/

Check System order for world writable files

Verification:

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sudo find /System -type d -perm -2 -ls

Configuration:

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sudo chmod -R o-w /Bad/Directory

Check Library folder for world writable files

Verification:

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sudo find /Library -type d -perm -2 -ls

Configuration:

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sudo chmod -R o-w /Bad/Directory

Reduce Sudo Time out Period

Verification:

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sudo cat /etc/sudoers | grep timestamp
Output should be:Defaults timestamp_timeout=0

Configuration:

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sudo visudo
add line in the #Defaults specification
Defaults timestamp_timeout=0

Automatically lock the login key chain after 15 minutes of inactivity and when sleeping

Verification:

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security show-keychain-info

Configuration:

  1. Open Utilities
  2. Select Keychain Access
  3. Select a keychain
  4. Select Edit
  5. Select Change Settings for keychain
  6. Authenticate, if requested.
  7. Select Lock when sleeping setting
Change the Lock after # minutes of inactivity setting for the Login Keychain to 15 minutes or based on the access frequency of the security credentials included in the keychain for other keychains.

Do not enable the “root” account

Verification:

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dscl . -read /Users/root AuthenticationAuthority
Output value should be: No such key: AuthenticationAuthority

Configuration:

  1. Open System Preferences,
  2. Uses & Groups.
  3. Click the lock icon to unlock it.
  4. In the Network Account Server section,
  5. click Join or Edit.
  6. Click Open Directory Utility.
  7. Click the lock icon to unlock it.
  8. Select the Edit menu
  9. Disable Root User.

Disable automatic login

Verification:

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow | grep autoLoginUser

Configuration:

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sudo defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow autoLoginUser

Require a password to wake the computer from sleep or screen saver

Verification:

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defaults read com.apple.screensaver askForPassword

Configuration:

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defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPassword -int 1

Require an administrator password to get access to system-wide preferences

Verification:

  1. In System Preferences: Security,
  2. General tab
  3. under Advanced,
  4. verify “Require an administrator password to get access to system-wide preferences” is checked.

Configuration:

  1. In System Preferences:
  2. Security,
  3. General tab under Advanced,
  4. check “Require an administrator password to access system-wide preferences”
  5. Disable ability to login to another user’s active and locked session

Verification:

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grep -i "group=admin,wheel fail_safe" /etc/pam.d/screensaver

Remediation:

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sudo vi /etc/pam.d/screensaver
  1. Locate account required pam_group.so no_warn group=admin,wheel fail_safe
  2. Remove “admin,”
  3. Save

Complex passwords must contain an Alphabetic Character

Verification:

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pwpolicy -getglobalpolicy | tr " " "\n" | grep requiresAlpha

Configuration:

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sudo pwpolicy -setglobalpolicy "maxFailedLoginAttempts=5 minChars=15 requiresNumeric=1 requiresAlpha=1 requiresSymbol=1"

Complex passwords must contain a Numeric Character

Verification:

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pwpolicy -getglobalpolicy | tr " " "\n" | grep requiresSymbol

Configuration:

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sudo pwpolicy -setglobalpolicy "maxFailedLoginAttempts=5 minChars=15

requiresNumeric=1 requiresAlpha=1 requiresSymbol=1″

Complex passwords must contain a Symbolic Character

Verification:

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pwpolicy -getglobalpolicy | tr " " "\n" | grep requiresSymbol

Configuration:

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sudo pwpolicy -setglobalpolicy "maxFailedLoginAttempts=5 minChars=15 requiresNumeric=1 requiresAlpha=1 requiresSymbol=1"

Set a minimum password length

Verification:

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pwpolicy -getglobalpolicy | tr " " "\n" | grep minChars

Configuration:

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sudo pwpolicy -setglobalpolicy "maxFailedLoginAttempts=5 minChars=15 requiresNumeric=1 requiresAlpha=1 requiresSymbol=1"

Configure account lockout threshold

Verification:

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pwpolicy -getglobalpolicy | tr " " "\n" | grep maxFailedLoginAttempts

Configuration:

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sudo pwpolicy -setglobalpolicy "maxFailedLoginAttempts=5 minChars=15 requiresNumeric=1 requiresAlpha=1 requiresSymbol=1"

Create an access warning for the login window

Verification:

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow.plist LoginwindowText

Configuration:

Add text with elevated privileges:

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow \ LoginwindowText "your text here"

Remove Text with elevated privileges

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sudo defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow \ LoginwindowText

Do not enter a password-related hint

Verification:

  1. Open System Preferences
  2. Select Users & Groups
  3. Highlight the user
  4. Select Change Password
  5. Verify that no text is entered in the Password hint box

Configuration:

  1. Open System Preferences
  2. Select Users & Groups
  3. Highlight the user
  4. Select Change Password
  5. Verify that no text is entered in the Password hint box

Secure individual keychain items

Verification:

  1. Open Utilities
  2. Select Keychain Access
  3. Double-click keychain
  4. Select Access Control
  5. Verify if the box next to “Ask for Keychain Password” is checked

Configuration:

  1. Open Utilities
  2. Select Keychain Access
  3. Double-click keychain
  4. Select Access Control
  5. Check box next to “Ask for Keychain Password”

Create specialized keychains for different purposes

Verification:

  1. Open Utilities
  2. Select Keychain Access
  3. Verify there are multiple keychains listed under Keychains on the upper left-hand
    side of the window

Configuration:

  1. Open Utilities
  2. Select Keychain Access
  3. Select File
  4. Select New Keychain
  5. Input name of new keychain next to Save As
  6. Select Create
  7. Drag and drop desired keychain items into new keychain from login keychain

Display login window as name and password

Verification:

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow SHOWFULLNAME

Configuration:

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow \ SHOWFULLNAME -bool yes

Disable “Show password hints”

Verification:

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow RetriesUntilHint

Configuration:

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow \ RetriesUntilHint -int 0

Disable guest account login

Verification:

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sudo defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow.plist GuestEnabled
Output should be: 0

Configuration:

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow GuestEnabled -bool NO

Disable “Allow guests to connect to shared folders”

Verification:

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.AppleFileServer | grep -i guest
Output should be guestAccess = 0;

for SMB sharing:

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.smb.server | grep -i guest
Output should be AllowGuestAccess = 0;

Configuration:

AFP configuration:

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.AppleFileServer \ guestAccess -bool no

SMB Configuration:

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sudo defaults write \ /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.smb.server \ AllowGuestAccess -bool no

Turn on filename extensions

Verification

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defaults read NSGlobalDomain AppleShowAllExtensions

Configuration

  1. Select Finder
  2. Select Preferences
  3. Check Show all filename extensions

Disable the automatic run of safe files in Safari

Verification:

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defaults read com.apple.Safari AutoOpenSafeDownloads

Output should be: 0
Configuration:

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defaults write com.apple.Safari AutoOpenSafeDownloads -boolean no

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