The Samsung KNOX for Android platform must not allow use of developer modes.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-69609	KNOX-35-020000	SV-84231r1_rule		Medium

Description
Developer modes expose features of the mobile operating system that are not available during standard operation. An adversary may leverage a vulnerability inherent in a developer mode to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of DoD-sensitive information. Disabling developer modes mitigates this risk. SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #24

STIG	Date
Samsung Android OS 6 (with KNOX 2.x) Security Technical Implementation Guide	2016-11-14

Details

Check Text ( C-70045r1_chk )
This check procedure is performed on both the MDM Administration Console and the Samsung KNOX device. Check that the appropriate setting is configured on the MDM Administration Console. 1. Ask the MDM administrator to display the "Disable Developer Mode" settings in the "Android Restrictions" rule. 2. Verify that the "Disable Developer Mode" setting is enabled. Note: Disabling Developer mode will also disable USB Debugging and Mock Locations. On the Samsung KNOX for Android device: 1. Open the device settings. 2. Select "Developer options". () 3. Attempt to enable "Developer options". If the "Disable Developer Mode" setting in the MDM console is disabled, or if the user can enable "Developer options" on the device, this is a finding. Note: The "Developer Modes" configuration setting may not be available in older MDM consoles. Disabling USB Debugging and Mock Locations also disables Developer modes on the mobile device. () "Developer options" is initially hidden to users. To unhide this menu item: 1. Open the device settings. 2. Select "About device". 3. Select "Software info". (Note: On some devices, this step is not needed.) 4. Rapidly tap on "Build number" multiple times until the device displays the Developer Options menu item.

Check Text ( C-70045r1_chk )

This check procedure is performed on both the MDM Administration Console and the Samsung KNOX device.

Check that the appropriate setting is configured on the MDM Administration Console.
1. Ask the MDM administrator to display the "Disable Developer Mode" settings in the "Android Restrictions" rule.
2. Verify that the "Disable Developer Mode" setting is enabled.

Note: Disabling Developer mode will also disable USB Debugging and Mock Locations.

On the Samsung KNOX for Android device:
1. Open the device settings.
2. Select "Developer options". (**)
3. Attempt to enable "Developer options".

If the "Disable Developer Mode" setting in the MDM console is disabled, or if the user can enable "Developer options" on the device, this is a finding.

Note: The "Developer Modes" configuration setting may not be available in older MDM consoles. Disabling USB Debugging and Mock Locations also disables Developer modes on the mobile device.

(**) "Developer options" is initially hidden to users. To unhide this menu item:
1. Open the device settings.
2. Select "About device".
3. Select "Software info". (Note: On some devices, this step is not needed.)
4. Rapidly tap on "Build number" multiple times until the device displays the Developer Options menu item.

Fix Text (F-75799r1_fix)
Configure the mobile operating system to disable Developer modes. Configure the platform to disable Developer mode. On the MDM Administration Console, enable the "Disable Developer Mode" setting in the "Android Restrictions" rule.