macOS
TMA-MACOS14-2.10.5
Ensure Show Password Hints Is Disabled
Description
Password hints are user-created text displayed when an incorrect password is used for an account. Password hints make it easier for unauthorized persons to gain access to systems by displaying information provided by the user to assist in remembering the password. This info could include the password itself or other information that might be readily discerned with basic knowledge of the end user.
How it is checked
Audit method: Shell command
/usr/bin/osascript -l JavaScript <<'EOS'
$.NSUserDefaults.alloc.initWithSuiteName('com.apple.loginwindow').objectForKey('RetriesUntilHint').js
EOS- Expected output
0
How it is fixed
Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch
Graphical Method: Perform the following steps to disable password hints from being shown: 1. Open System Settings 2. Select Lock Screen 3. Set 'Show password hints` to disabled Terminal Method: Run the following command to disable password hints: % /usr/bin/sudo /usr/bin/defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow RetriesUntilHint -int 0 Profile Method: Create or edit a configuration profile with the following information: 1. The PayloadType string is com.apple.loginwindow 2. The key to include is RetriesUntilHint 3. The key must be set to <integer>0</integer>
Properties
- Operating systems
- macos-14
- Tags
- authmacossonoma
- Reference
- CIS Apple macOS 14.0 Sonoma Benchmark v3.1.0 - 2.10.5 Ensure Show Password Hints Is Disabled
Check this host
Run this on a machine you are allowed to audit. The scan is read-only.
tmaegis scan --target macos