macOS
TMA-MACOS14-2.3.3.5
Ensure Remote Management Is Disabled
Description
Remote Management is the client portion of Apple Remote Desktop (ARD). Remote Management can be used by remote administrators to view the current screen, install software, report on, and generally manage client Macs. The screen sharing options in Remote Management are identical to those in the Screen Sharing section. In fact, only one of the two can be configured. If Remote Management is used, refer to the Screen Sharing section above on issues regarding screen sharing. Remote Management should only be enabled when a Directory is in place to manage the accounts with access. Computers will be available on port 5900 on a macOS System and could accept connections from untrusted hosts depending on the configuration, which is a major concern for mobile systems. As with other sharing options, an open port even for authorized management functions can be attacked, and both unauthorized access...
How it is checked
Audit method: Shell command
[ -x /usr/bin/sw_vers ] || exit 1
out=$(/bin/ps -axo comm= 2>/dev/null) || exit 1
printf '%s\n' "$out" | /usr/bin/grep -c ARDAgent || true- Expected output
0
How it is fixed
Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch
Graphical Method: Perform the following steps to disable Remote Management: 1. Open System Settings 2. Select General 3. Select Sharing 4. Set Remote Management to disabled Terminal Method: Run the following command to disable Remote Management: % /usr/bin/sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources /kickstart -deactivate -stop Starting... Removed preference to start ARD after reboot. Done.
Properties
- Operating systems
- macos-14
- Tags
- macossonoma
- Reference
- CIS Apple macOS 14.0 Sonoma Benchmark v3.1.0 - 2.3.3.5 Ensure Remote Management Is Disabled
Check this host
Run this on a machine you are allowed to audit. The scan is read-only.
tmaegis scan --target macos