The Samsung KNOX for Android platform must be configured to disable automatic updates of system software.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-69643	KNOX-35-023700	SV-84265r1_rule		Medium

Description
FOTA allows the user to download and install firmware updates over the air. These updates can include OS upgrades, security patches, bug fixes, new features, and applications. Since the updates are controlled by the carriers, DoD will not have an opportunity to review and update policies prior to update availability to end users. Disabling FOTA will mitigate the risk of allowing users access to applications that could compromise DoD sensitive data. After reviewing the update and adjusting any necessary policies (i.e., disabling applications determined to pose risk), the administrator can re-enable FOTA. SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #45

Description

FOTA allows the user to download and install firmware updates over the air. These updates can include OS upgrades, security patches, bug fixes, new features, and applications. Since the updates are controlled by the carriers, DoD will not have an opportunity to review and update policies prior to update availability to end users. Disabling FOTA will mitigate the risk of allowing users access to applications that could compromise DoD sensitive data. After reviewing the update and adjusting any necessary policies (i.e., disabling applications determined to pose risk), the administrator can re-enable FOTA. SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #45

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

Details

Check Text ( C-70079r1_chk )
This validation procedure is performed on both the MDM Administration Console and the Samsung KNOX for Android device. Check whether the appropriate setting is configured on the MDM Administration Console: 1. Ask the MDM administrator to display the "Allow FOTA" setting in the "Android Restrictions" rule. 2. Verify the setting is disabled. On the Samsung KNOX for Android device: 1. Open device settings. 2. Select "About device". 3. Attempt to select "Software update" or "Download updates manually". Note: Location of this menu can vary between models. If the "Allow FOTA" configuration in the MDM console is enabled, or if the user is able to successfully select software update, this is a finding. Note: After reviewing the update and adjusting any necessary policies (i.e., disabling applications determined to pose risk), the administrator can re-enable FOTA.

Check Text ( C-70079r1_chk )

This validation procedure is performed on both the MDM Administration Console and the Samsung KNOX for Android device.

Check whether the appropriate setting is configured on the MDM Administration Console:
1. Ask the MDM administrator to display the "Allow FOTA" setting in the "Android Restrictions" rule.
2. Verify the setting is disabled.

On the Samsung KNOX for Android device:
1. Open device settings.
2. Select "About device".
3. Attempt to select "Software update" or "Download updates manually".

Note: Location of this menu can vary between models.

If the "Allow FOTA" configuration in the MDM console is enabled, or if the user is able to successfully select software update, this is a finding.

Note: After reviewing the update and adjusting any necessary policies (i.e., disabling applications determined to pose risk), the administrator can re-enable FOTA.

Fix Text (F-75833r1_fix)
Configure the mobile operating system to disable automatic updates of system software. Configure the mobile operating system to disable FOTA. On the MDM Administration Console, disable the "Allow FOTA" setting in the "Android Restrictions" rule.