macOS must be configured with a firmware password to prevent access to single user mode and booting from alternative media.

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macOS must be configured with a firmware password to prevent access to single user mode and booting from alternative media.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-209622	AOSX-14-003013	SV-209622r610285_rule		Medium

Description
Single user mode and the boot picker, as well as numerous other tools are available on macOS through booting while holding the "Option" key down. Setting a firmware password restricts access to these tools.

STIG	Date
Apple OS X 10.14 (Mojave) Security Technical Implementation Guide	2020-12-11

Details

Check Text ( C-9873r466318_chk )
To check that password hints are disabled, run the following command: # sudo /usr/sbin/firmwarepasswd -check If the return is not, "Password Enabled: Yes", this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-9873r466319_fix)
To set a firmware passcode use the following command. sudo /usr/sbin/firmwarepasswd -setpasswd Note: If firmware password or passcode is forgotten, the only way to reset the forgotten password is through the use of a machine specific binary generated and provided by Apple. Schedule a support call, and provide proof of purchase before the firmware binary will be generated.