STIGQter: STIG Summary: Apple macOS 15 (Sequoia) Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 1 Release: 7 Benchmark Date: 01 Apr 2026:

The macOS system must remove password hints from user accounts.

DISA Rule

SV-268541r1131242_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-268541

Group Title

SRG-OS-000079-GPOS-00047

Rule Version

APPL-15-003014

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-000206 - Obscure feedback of authentication information during the authentication process to protect the information from possible exploitation and use by unauthorized individuals.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure the macOS system to remove password hints from user accounts with the following command:

for u in $(/usr/bin/dscl . -list /Users UniqueID | /usr/bin/awk '$2 > 500 {print $1}'); do
/usr/bin/dscl . -delete /Users/$u hint
done

Check Contents

Verify the macOS system is configured to remove password hints from user accounts with the following command:

HINT=$(/usr/bin/dscl . -list /Users hint | /usr/bin/awk '{ print $2 }')

if [ -z "$HINT" ]; then
echo "PASS"
else
echo "FAIL"
fi

If the result is not "PASS", this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-268541

Documentable

False

Rule Version

APPL-15-003014

Severity Override Guidance

Verify the macOS system is configured to remove password hints from user accounts with the following command:

HINT=$(/usr/bin/dscl . -list /Users hint | /usr/bin/awk '{ print $2 }')

if [ -z "$HINT" ]; then
echo "PASS"
else
echo "FAIL"
fi

If the result is not "PASS", this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5661