• Platform: iOS
• Weakness: MASWE-0017
• Weakness in the numbering of the MASWE beta: MASWE-0008
• Profiles: L2 (advanced security)
• Type: static, code
• APIs: LAContext.canEvaluatePolicy, kSecAttrAccessibleWhenPasscodeSetThisDeviceOnly
• Knowledge: MASTG-KNOW-0056

Overview

This test verifies that an app is running on a device with a secure screen lock (e.g. a passcode).

On iOS, apps can determine whether a secure screen lock is set using the LocalAuthentication framework. Specifically, the LAContext.canEvaluatePolicy(_:error:)) method with the .deviceOwnerAuthentication or .deviceOwnerAuthenticationWithBiometrics policy can be used to check if authentication mechanisms, including a passcode, are available.

Apps leveraging the Keychain Services API can require passcode authentication before accessing sensitive data using the kSecAttrAccessibleWhenPasscodeSetThisDeviceOnly attribute.

Steps

1. Use MASTG-TECH-0058 to extract the relevant binaries from app package.
2. Use MASTG-TECH-0066 to look for the relevant APIs in the app binaries.

Observation

The output should contain a list of locations where relevant APIs are used.

Evaluation

The test case fails if an app doesn't use any API to verify the secure screen lock presence.

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