Apple iOS must not allow more than 10 consecutive failed authentication attempts.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-71777	AIOS-01-080005	SV-86401r1_rule		Low

Description
The more attempts an adversary has to guess a password, the more likely the adversary will enter the correct password and gain access to resources on the device. Setting a limit on the number of attempts mitigates this risk. Setting the limit at 10 gives authorized users the ability to make a few mistakes when entering the password but still provides adequate protection against dictionary or brute force attacks on the password. SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #02

Description

The more attempts an adversary has to guess a password, the more likely the adversary will enter the correct password and gain access to resources on the device. Setting a limit on the number of attempts mitigates this risk. Setting the limit at 10 gives authorized users the ability to make a few mistakes when entering the password but still provides adequate protection against dictionary or brute force attacks on the password. SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #02

STIG	Date
Apple iOS 10 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2016-10-25

Details

Check Text ( C-72037r1_chk )
Review configuration settings to confirm that consecutive failed authentication attempts is set to "10" or fewer. This procedure is performed in the Apple iOS management tool and on the Apple iOS device. Note: If an organization has multiple configuration profiles, the check procedure must be performed on the relevant configuration profiles applicable to the scope of the review. In the Management tool, verify the "Maximum number of failed attempts" value is set to "10" or fewer. Alternatively, verify the text "maxFailedAttempts 10" appears in the configuration profile (.mobileconfig file). It also is acceptable for the integer value to be less than "10". On the Apple iOS device: 1. Open the Settings app. 2. Tap "General". 3. Tap "Profiles" or "Profiles & Device Management" or "Device Management". 4. Tap the Configuration Profile from the iOS management tool containing the password policy. 5. Tap "Restrictions". 6. Tap "Passcode". 7. Verify "Max failed attempts" is listed as "10" or fewer. If the "Maximum number of failed attempts" is more than "10" in the iOS management tool, "maxFailedAttempts " has an integer value of more than "10", or the password policy on the Apple iOS device from the Apple iOS management tool does not list "Max failed attempts" of "10" or fewer, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-72037r1_chk )

Review configuration settings to confirm that consecutive failed authentication attempts is set to "10" or fewer.

This procedure is performed in the Apple iOS management tool and on the Apple iOS device.

Note: If an organization has multiple configuration profiles, the check procedure must be performed on the relevant configuration profiles applicable to the scope of the review.

In the Management tool, verify the "Maximum number of failed attempts" value is set to "10" or fewer.
Alternatively, verify the text "maxFailedAttempts 10" appears in the configuration profile (.mobileconfig file). It also is acceptable for the integer value to be less than "10".

On the Apple iOS device:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap "General".
3. Tap "Profiles" or "Profiles & Device Management" or "Device Management".
4. Tap the Configuration Profile from the iOS management tool containing the password policy.
5. Tap "Restrictions".
6. Tap "Passcode".
7. Verify "Max failed attempts" is listed as "10" or fewer.

If the "Maximum number of failed attempts" is more than "10" in the iOS management tool, "maxFailedAttempts " has an integer value of more than "10", or the password policy on the Apple iOS device from the Apple iOS management tool does not list "Max failed attempts" of "10" or fewer, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-78129r1_fix)
Install a configuration profile to allow only 10 or fewer consecutive failed authentication attempts.