2.4.2 Ensure Internet Sharing Is Disabled

Information

Internet Sharing uses the open source natd process to share an internet connection with other computers and devices on a local network. This allows the Mac to function as a router and share the connection to other, possibly unauthorized, devices.

Rationale:

Disabling Internet Sharing reduces the remote attack surface of the system.

Impact:

Internet Sharing allows the computer to function as a router and other computers to use it for access. This can expose both the computer itself and the networks it is accessing to unacceptable access from unapproved devices.

Solution

Graphical Method:
Perform the following steps to disable Internet Sharing:

Open System Preferences

Select Sharing

Set Internet Sharing to disabled

Terminal Method:
Run the following command to turn off Internet Sharing:

$ usr/bin/sudo /usr/bin/defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.nat NAT -dict Enabled -int 0

Note: Using the Terminal Method will not be reflected in the GUI, but will disable the underlying service.
Profile Method:
Create or edit a configuration profile with the following information:

The PayloadType string is com.apple.MCX

The key to include is forceInternetSharingOff

The key must be set to <true/>

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/14563