2.5.1 Ensure 'Disable Association MAC Randomization' is 'Configured'

Information

This recommendation pertains to disabling MAC randomization as needed. MAC addresses can still be used as part of inventory management and may be desired on internal networks. User privacy concerns should recommend allowing the setting on other networks.

Rationale:

MAC randomization is a feature available from iOS 14 onward and is enabled by default. Although this feature enhances privacy for individuals by using random and different addresses for each Wi-Fi network, it can lead to problems in some circumstances, such as captive portals, MAC-based Access Control Lists, etc. In such cases, disabling this feature may be necessary. This is a per-network setting, meaning it can be turned off for specific networks only.

NOTE: Nessus has not performed this check. Please review the benchmark to ensure target compliance.

Solution

This remediation procedure cannot be accomplished with a checkbox, it needs to be applied on a per-network basis as appropriate.
From the Configuration Profile:

Open Apple Configurator.

Open the Configuration Profile.

In the left window pane, click on the Wi-Fi tab.

In the right window pane, select the relevant Wi-Fi configuration.

In the right window pane, check the checkbox for Disable Association MAC Randomization.

Deploy the Configuration Profile.

From the device:

Tap Settings.

Tap Wi-Fi.

Tap the relevant network.

Disable the option Private Address.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/6168