Ensure XProtect Is Running and Updated

HighLevel 1Automatedmacos

Description

XProtect is Apple's native signature-based antivirus technology. XProtect both finds and blocks the execution of known malware. There are many AV and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools available for macOS. The native Apple provisioned tool looks for specific known malware and is completely integrated into the OS. No matter what other tools are being used, XProtect should have the latest signatures available. Audit: Checks xprotect status; confirm definitions are current with xprotect check / xprotect update.

How it is checked

Audit method: Shell command

shell

out=$(/usr/bin/xprotect status 2>/dev/null) || exit 1
if printf '%s\n' "$out" | /usr/bin/grep -q "XProtect launch scans: enabled" && printf '%s\n' "$out" | /usr/bin/grep -q "XProtect background scans: enabled"; then echo compliant; else printf '%s\n' "$out"; fi

Expected output: compliant

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

Terminal: sudo /bin/launchctl load -w /Library/Apple/System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.XProtect.daemon.scan.pl ist ; sudo /bin/launchctl load -w /Library/Apple/System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.XprotectFramework.Plugi nService.plist ; sudo /usr/bin/xprotect update.

Properties

Operating systems: macos-26
Tags: macossystem-access
Reference: CIS Apple macOS 26 Tahoe Benchmark v1.1.0 - 5.10 Ensure XProtect Is Running and Updated

Check this host

Run this on a machine you are allowed to audit. The scan is read-only.

shell

tmaegis scan --target macos