Detections
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2.8.1 Ensure Wake for Network Access Is Disabled

Warning! Audit Deprecated

This audit has been deprecated and will be removed in a future update.

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Information

This feature allows the computer to take action when the user is not present and the computer is in energy saving mode. These tools require FileVault to remain unlocked and fully rejoin known networks. This macOS feature is meant to allow the computer to resume activity as needed regardless of physical security controls.

This feature allows other users to be able to access your computer's shared resources, such as shared printers or Apple Music playlists, even when your computer is in sleep mode. In a closed network when only authorized devices could wake a computer, it could be valuable to wake computers in order to do management push activity. Where mobile workstations and agents exist, the device will more likely check in to receive updates when already awake. Mobile devices should not be listening for signals on any unmanaged network or where untrusted devices exist that could send wake signals.

Rationale:

Disabling this feature mitigates the risk of an attacker remotely waking the system and gaining access.

Impact:

Management programs like Apple Remote Desktop Administrator use wake-on-LAN to connect with computers. If turned off, such management programs will not be able to wake a computer over the LAN. If the wake-on-LAN feature is needed, do not turn off this feature.

The control to prevent computer sleep has been retired for this version of the Benchmark. Forcing the computer to stay on and use energy in case a management push is needed is contrary to most current management processes. Only keep computers unslept if after hours pushes are required on closed LANs.

Solution

Perform the following to disable Wake for network access:
Graphical Method:

Open System Preferences

Select Energy Saver

Uncheck Wake for network access

Terminal Method:
Run the following command to disable Wake for network access:

$ sudo pmset -a womp 0

Profile Method:

Create or edit a configuration profile with the PayLoadType of com.apple.MCX

Add the key com.apple.EnergySaver.desktop.ACPower

Set the key to:

<dict>
<key>Wake On LAN</key>
<integer>0</integer>
<key>Wake On Modem Ring</key>
<integer>0</integer>
</dict>

Add the key com.apple.EnergySaver.portable.ACPower

Set the key to:

<dict>
<key>Wake On LAN</key>
<integer>0</integer>
<key>Wake On Modem Ring</key>
<integer>0</integer>
</dict>

Add the key com.apple.EnergySaver.portable.BatteryPower

Set the key to:

<dict>
<key>Wake On LAN</key>
<integer>0</integer>
<key>Wake On Modem Ring</key>
<integer>0</integer>
</dict>

Note: Both Wake on LAN and Wake on Modem Ring need to be set. Only setting Wake On LAN will allow the profile to install but not set any settings. This profile will only apply the setting at installation and is not sticky.

Additional Information:

man pmset

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/4000

Item Details

References: CSCv7|9.2

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 72f7f70d15787d95a7e0c93532d38f89f2067e693c2d2a9951af288b6f93d416