Ensure Password Account Lockout Threshold Is Configured

How it is checked

Audit method: Shell command

v=$(/usr/bin/pwpolicy -getaccountpolicies 2>/dev/null | /usr/bin/tail -n +2 | /usr/bin/xmllint --xpath '//dict/key[text()="policyAttributeMaximumFailedAuthentications"]/following-sibling::integer[1]/text()' - 2>/dev/null) || exit 1
v=$(printf '%s\n' "$v" | /usr/bin/head -1)
if [ -n "$v" ] && [ "$v" -le 5 ]; then echo compliant; else echo "policyAttributeMaximumFailedAuthentications=${v:-unset}"; fi

Expected output

compliant

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

Profile (preferred): com.apple.mobiledevice.passwordpolicy maxFailedAttempts = <integer><value≤5></integer>. Terminal: sudo /usr/bin/pwpolicy -n /Local/Default -setglobalpolicy "maxFailedLoginAttempts=<value≤5>" ; sudo /usr/bin/pwpolicy -n /Local/Default -setglobalpolicy "maxFailedLoginAttempts=5".

Check this host

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

tmaegis scan --target macos