TMA-MACOS-1.1
Ensure Apple-provided Software Updates Are Installed
Description
Software vendors release security patches and software updates for their products when security vulnerabilities are discovered. There is no simple way to complete this action without a network connection to an Apple software repository. Please ensure appropriate access for this control. This check is only for what Apple provides through software update. Audit: Passes when LastFullSuccessfulDate is within 30 days and RecommendedUpdates lists no pending update.
How it is checked
Audit method: Shell command
[ -x /usr/bin/defaults ] || exit 1
d=$(/usr/bin/defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate LastFullSuccessfulDate 2>/dev/null) || { echo "never checked"; exit 0; }
t=$(/bin/date -j -f "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S %z" "$d" +%s 2>/dev/null) || exit 1
now=$(/bin/date +%s)
[ $((now - t)) -le 2592000 ] || { echo "last successful check older than 30 days: $d"; exit 0; }
n=$(/usr/bin/defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate RecommendedUpdates 2>/dev/null | /usr/bin/grep -c "Product Key")
if [ "${n:-0}" -eq 0 ]; then echo compliant; else echo "updates pending: $n"; fi- Expected output
compliant
How it is fixed
Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch
Terminal: sudo /usr/sbin/softwareupdate -l ; sudo /usr/sbin/softwareupdate -i -a ; sudo /usr/sbin/softwareupdate -i '<package name>'. GUI: System Settings > General > Software Update > Update All.
Properties
- Operating systems
- macos-26
- Tags
- macossoftware-update
- Reference
- CIS Apple macOS 26 Tahoe Benchmark v1.1.0 - 1.1 Ensure Apple-provided Software Updates Are Installed
Check this host
Run this on a machine you are allowed to audit. The scan is read-only.
tmaegis scan --target macos