The macOS system must require a minimum password length of 14 characters.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-277146 | APPL-26-003010 | SV-277146r1149410_rule | CCI-004066 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| The macOS must be configured to require that a minimum of 14 characters be used when a password is created. This rule enforces password complexity by requiring users to set passwords that are less vulnerable to malicious users. Note: The guidance for password-based authentication in NIST 800-53 (Rev 5) and NIST 800-63B states that complexity rules must be organizationally defined. The values defined are based on common complexity values, but each organization may define its own password complexity rules. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Apple macOS 26 (Tahoe) Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2026-02-11 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-277146r1149410_chk)
Verify the macOS system is configured to enforce a minimum 14-character password length with the following command:
/usr/bin/pwpolicy -getaccountpolicies 2>/dev/null | tail +2 | grep -oE "policyAttributePassword matches '.\{[0-9]+," | awk -F'[{,]' -v ODV=14 '{if ($2 > max) max=$2} END {print (max >= ODV) ? "pass" : "fail"}'
If the result is not "true", this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-81206r1148889_fix)
Configure the macOS system to enforce a 14-character password length by installing the "com.apple.mobiledevice.passwordpolicy" configuration profile.