The macOS system must enable time synchronization daemon.

STIG ID: APPL-14-000180  |  SRG: SRG-OS-000355-GPOS-00143 |  Severity: medium |  CCI: CCI-001891,CCI-002046 |  Vulnerability Id: V-259451 | 

Vulnerability Discussion

The macOS time synchronization daemon (timed) must be enabled for proper time synchronization to an authorized time server.

Note: The time synchronization daemon is enabled by default on macOS.

Satisfies: SRG-OS-000355-GPOS-00143,SRG-OS-000356-GPOS-00144

Check

Verify the macOS system is configured to enable time synchronization daemon with the following command:

/bin/launchctl list | /usr/bin/grep -c com.apple.timed

If the result is not "1", this is a finding.

Fix

Configure the macOS system to enable time synchronization daemon with the following command:

/bin/launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.timed.plist