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The macOS system must be configured to audit all failed write actions on the system.

An XCCDF Rule

Description

The audit system must be configured to record enforcement actions of access restrictions, including failed file write (-fw) attempts. Enforcement actions are the methods or mechanisms used to prevent unauthorized access and/or changes to configuration settings. One common and effective enforcement action method is using access restrictions (e.g., denying users access to edit a file by applying file permissions). This configuration ensures that audit lists include events in which enforcement actions prevent attempts to change a file. Without auditing the enforcement of access restrictions, it is difficult to identify attempted attacks, as there is no audit trail available for forensic investigation. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207,SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027,SRG-OS-000465-GPOS-00209,SRG-OS-000466-GPOS-00210,SRG-OS-000467-GPOS-00211,SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212

ID
SV-259465r991573_rule
Version
APPL-14-001023
Severity
Medium
References
Updated

Remediation Templates

A Manual Procedure

Configure the macOS system to audit all failed write actions on the system with the following command:

/usr/bin/grep -qE "^flags.*-fw" /etc/security/audit_control || /usr/bin/sed -i.bak '/^flags/ s/$/,-fw/' /etc/security/audit_control;/usr/sbin/audit -s