2.6.5 Ensure Gatekeeper Is Enabled

Information

Gatekeeper is Apple's application that utilizes allowlisting to restrict downloaded applications from launching. It functions as a control to limit applications from unverified sources from running without authorization. In an update to Gatekeeper in macOS 13 Ventura, Gatekeeper checks every application on every launch, not just quarantined apps.

Rationale:

Disallowing unsigned software will reduce the risk of unauthorized or malicious applications from running on the system.

Solution

Graphical Method:
Perform the following steps to enable Gatekeeper:

Open System Settings

Select Privacy & Security

Set 'Allow apps downloaded from' to 'App Store and identified developers'

Terminal Method:
Run the following command to enable Gatekeeper to allow applications from App Store and identified developers:

$ /usr/bin/sudo /usr/sbin/spctl --master-enable

Profile Method:
Create or edit a configuration profile with the following information:

The PayloadType string is com.apple.systempolicy.control

The key to include is AllowIdentifiedDevelopers

The key must be set to <true/>

The key to also include is EnableAssessment

The key must be set to <true/>

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/14561

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INTEGRITY

References: 800-53|SI-3, 800-53|SI-16, CSCv7|8.2, CSCv7|8.4

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 998ec2253d788009e13c95fa4678dffae3c65c2bb5e810d3adc76abb2be3c3ab