Ensure Microsoft Authenticator on companion applications is disabled

HighLevel 1Manual reviewm365

Description

Microsoft Entra ID includes a feature called Authenticator Lite, which embeds a subset of Microsoft Authenticator functionality into companion applications such as Outlook mobile. When enabled, users can satisfy MFA requirements using push notifications or time-based one-time passcodes (TOTP) directly from the companion application without installing the standalone Microsoft Authenticator app. The recommended state is Microsoft Authenticator on companion applications set to Disabled. Authenticator Lite does not support application name or geographic location context in push notifications, regardless of tenant-wide Authenticator feature settings. These are key defenses against MFA fatigue attacks that are only available in the full Microsoft Authenticator app. Authenticator Lite also does not satisfy Conditional Access authentication strength requirements, does not support passwordless...

How it is checked

Audit method: Manual review

This recommendation cannot be checked automatically. A scan lists it with these instructions when you pass --include-manual.

To audit using the UI: 1. Navigate to the Microsoft Entra admin center https://entra.microsoft.com. 2. Expand Entra ID > Authentication methods and select Policies. 3. Under Method select Microsoft Authenticator. 4. Select Configure. 5. Verify that Microsoft Authenticator on companion applications: Status is set to Disabled. To audit using the Microsoft Graph API: 1. Execute a GET request to the following relative URI: beta/policies/authenticationMethodsPolicy/authenticationMethodConfigurations/ microsoftAuthenticator 2. Verify that featureSettings.companionAppAllowedState.state is disabled.

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

To remediate using the UI: 1. Navigate to the Microsoft Entra admin center https://entra.microsoft.com. 2. Expand Entra ID > Authentication methods and select Policies. 3. Under Method select Microsoft Authenticator. 4. Select Configure. 5. Set Microsoft Authenticator on companion applications: Status to Disabled. 6. Select Save.

Properties

Operating systems: Any
Tags: authm365saas
Reference: CIS Microsoft 365 Foundations Benchmark v7.0.0 - 5.2.3.10 Ensure Microsoft Authenticator on companion applications is disabled