Ensure the "root" Account Is Disabled

HighLevel 1Automatedmacos

Description

The root account is a superuser account that has access privileges to perform any actions and read/write to any file on the computer. With some versions of Linux, the system administrator may commonly use the root account to perform administrative functions. Previous versions of the benchmark included a graphical check for the audit and remediation as well as a different Terminal command for the remediation.

How it is checked

Audit method: Shell command

shell

out=$(/usr/bin/dscl . -read /Users/root AuthenticationAuthority 2>&1)
printf '%s\n' "$out" | /usr/bin/grep -q "No such key: AuthenticationAuthority" && echo compliant

Expected output: compliant

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

Terminal: sudo /usr/bin/fdesetup remove -user root 2>/dev/null ; sudo /usr/bin/dscl /Local/Default delete /Users/root AuthenticationAuthority.

Properties

Operating systems: macos-26
Tags: macossystem-access
Reference: CIS Apple macOS 26 Tahoe Benchmark v1.1.0 - 5.6 Ensure the "root" Account Is Disabled

Check this host

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

shell

tmaegis scan --target macos