Apple iOS must not allow the device unlock password to contain more than two sequential or repeating characters (e.g., 456, aaa).

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-54243	AIOS-01-080007	SV-68489r1_rule		Medium

Description
Password complexity or strength refers to how difficult it is to determine a password using a dictionary or brute-force attack. Passwords with sequential or repeating numbers or alphabetic characters (e.g., 456, 987, 222, abc, ddd) are considered easier to crack than random patterns. Therefore, disallowing sequential or repeating numbers or alphabetic characters makes it more difficult for an adversary to discover the password. SFR ID: FMT_SMF.1.1 #42

Description

Password complexity or strength refers to how difficult it is to determine a password using a dictionary or brute-force attack. Passwords with sequential or repeating numbers or alphabetic characters (e.g., 456, 987, 222, abc, ddd) are considered easier to crack than random patterns. Therefore, disallowing sequential or repeating numbers or alphabetic characters makes it more difficult for an adversary to discover the password. SFR ID: FMT_SMF.1.1 #42

STIG	Date
Apple iOS 8 Interim Security Configuration Guide	2014-09-16

Details

Check Text ( C-54879r3_chk )
Review configuration settings to confirm that simple passcodes are not allowed. This check procedure is performed on both the iOS management tool and the iOS device. Note: If an organization has multiple configuration profiles, then the check procedure must be performed on the relevant configuration profiles applicable to the scope of the review. In the iOS management tool, verify the "Allow simple value" is unchecked. Alternatively, verify the text "allowSimple " appears in the configuration profile (.mobileconfig file). On the 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 "Simple passcodes allowed" is not listed. If "Allow simple value" is checked in the iOS management tool, "allowSimple " appears in the config profile, or the password policy on the iOS device from the iOS management tool lists "Simple passcodes allowed Yes", this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-54879r3_chk )

Review configuration settings to confirm that simple passcodes are not allowed.

This check procedure is performed on both the iOS management tool and the iOS device.

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

In the iOS management tool, verify the "Allow simple value" is unchecked. Alternatively, verify the text "allowSimple " appears in the configuration profile (.mobileconfig file).

On the 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 "Simple passcodes allowed" is not listed.

If "Allow simple value" is checked in the iOS management tool, "allowSimple " appears in the config profile, or the password policy on the iOS device from the iOS management tool lists "Simple passcodes allowed Yes", this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-59097r1_fix)
Install a Configuration Profile to disallow more than 2 sequential or repeating numbers or letters in the device unlock password.