Hi all,
I'm using a CryptoTokenKit (CTK) extension to perform code signing without having the private key stored on my laptop. The extension currently only supports the rsaSignatureDigestPKCS1v15SHA256 algorithm:
func tokenSession(_ session: TKTokenSession, supports operation: TKTokenOperation, keyObjectID: TKToken.ObjectID, algorithm: TKTokenKeyAlgorithm) -> Bool {
return algorithm.isAlgorithm(SecKeyAlgorithm.rsaSignatureDigestPKCS1v15SHA256)
}
This setup works perfectly with codesign, and signing completes without any issues.
However, when I try to use productsign, the system correctly detects and delegates signing to my CTK extension, but it seems to always request rsaSignatureDigestPKCS1v15SHA1 instead:
productsign --timestamp --sign <identity> unsigned.pkg signed.pkg
productsign: using timestamp authority for signature
productsign: signing product with identity "Developer ID Installer: <org> (<team>)" from keychain (null)
...
Error Domain=NSOSStatusErrorDomain Code=-50
"algid:sign:RSA:digest-PKCS1v15:SHA1: algorithm not supported by the key"
...
productsign: error: Failed to sign the product.
From what I understand, older versions of macOS used SHA1 for code signing, but codesign has since moved to SHA256 (at least when legacy compatibility isn't a concern). Oddly, productsign still seems to default to SHA1, even in 2025.
Is there a known way to force productsign to use SHA256 instead of SHA1 for the signature digest algorithm? Or is there some flag or configuration I'm missing?
Thanks in advance!
General
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Hello,
I have encountered several challenges related to System Integrity Protection (SIP) state detection and code signing requirements. I would like to seek clarification and guidance on the proper approach to programmatically determine the SIP state.
Here are the issues I’ve encountered:
XPC Code Signing Check APIs:
APIs like setCodeSigningRequirement and setConnectionCodeSigningRequirement do not work when SIP disabled and that's ok given what SIP is.
LaunchCodeRequirement API:
When using Process.launchRequirement, the LaunchCodeRequirement API does not function anymore when SIP disabled.
The IsSIPProtected requirement behaves in a way that is not clearly documented -- it appears to only apply to pre-installed Apple apps.
Legacy APIs:
Older APIs like SecCodeCheckValidity are likely to be non-functional, though I haven’t had the chance to validate this yet.
Private API Concerns:
So to mitigate those limitations I prefer my app to not even try to connect to untrusted XPC or launch untrusted Processes when SIP is disabled. The only way to determine SIP state I could find is a low-level C function csr_get_active_config. However, this function is not declared in any publicly available header file, indicating that it is a private API.
Since private APIs cannot be used in App Store-distributed apps and are best avoided for Developer ID-signed apps, this does not seem like a viable solution.
Given these limitations, what is the recommended and proper approach to programmatically determine the SIP state in a macOS application?
Any insights or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Topic:
Privacy & Security
SubTopic:
General
Hi team, is there a native way to detect if a change has been made to biometrics using FaceID or TouchID? Thanks in advance.
Our desktop app for macos will be released in 2 channels
appstore
dmg package on our official website for users to download and install
Now when we debug with passkey, we find that the package name of the appstore can normally arouse passkey, but the package name of the non-App Store can not arouse the passkey interface
I need your help. Thank you
Topic:
Privacy & Security
SubTopic:
General
Tags:
Bundle ID
macOS
Passkeys in iCloud Keychain
Authentication Services
For testing purposes we have code that calls SecTrustEvaluateAsyncWithError() with a trust object containing a hardcoded leaf certificate and the corresponding intermediate certificate required to form a valid chain. Because the leaf certificate has since expired we pass a date in the past via SecTrustSetVerifyDate() at wich the certificate was still valid, but trust evaluation fails:
Error Domain=NSOSStatusErrorDomain Code=-67825 "“<redacted>” certificate is not standards compliant" UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=“<redacted>” certificate is not standards compliant, NSUnderlyingError=0x600000c282a0 {Error Domain=NSOSStatusErrorDomain Code=-67825 "Certificate 0 “<redacted>” has errors: Certificate Transparency validation required for this use;" UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=Certificate 0 “<redacted>” has errors: Certificate Transparency validation required for this use;}}}
I know that App Transport Security enforces Certificate Transparency by default, but is there a way around that here?
What Has Been Implemented
Replaced the default loginwindow:login with a custom authorization plugin.
The plugin:
Performs primary OTP authentication.
Displays a custom password prompt.
Validates the password using Open Directory (OD) APIs.
Next Scenario was handling password change
Password change is simulated via: sudo pwpolicy -u robo -setpolicy "newPasswordRequired=1"
On next login:
Plugin retrieves the old password.
OD API returns kODErrorCredentialsPasswordChangeRequired.
Triggers a custom change password window to collect and set new password.
Issue Observed : After changing password:
The user’s login keychain resets.
Custom entries under the login keychain are removed.
We have tried few solutions
Using API, SecKeychainChangePassword(...)
Using CLI, security set-keychain-password -o oldpwd -p newpwd ~/Library/Keychains/login.keychain-db
These approaches appear to successfully change the keychain password, but:
On launching Keychain Access, two password prompts appear, after authentication, Keychain Access window doesn't appear (no app visibility).
Question:
Is there a reliable way (API or CLI) to reset or update the user’s login keychain password from within the custom authorization plugin, so:
The keychain is not reset or lost.
Keychain Access works normally post-login.
The password update experience is seamless.
Thank you for your help and I appreciate your time and consideration
Topic:
Privacy & Security
SubTopic:
General
Tags:
Open Directory
Security
Privacy
Security Interface
Hello Experts,
I am in need of your help with this feedback from the App Reviewer.
Issue Description: One or more purpose strings in the app do not sufficiently explain the use of protected resources. Purpose strings must clearly and completely describe the app's use of data and, in most cases, provide an example of how the data will be used.
Next Steps: Update the location purpose string to explain how the app will use the requested information and provide a specific example of how the data will be used. See the attached screenshot.
Resources: Purpose strings must clearly describe how an app uses the ability, data, or resource. The following are hypothetical examples of unclear purpose strings that would not pass review:
"App would like to access your Contacts"
"App needs microphone access"
Feedback #2
"Regarding 5.1.1, we understand why your app needs access to location. However, the permission request alert does not sufficiently explain this to your users before accessing the location.
To resolve this issue, it would be appropriate to revise the location permission request, specify why your app needs access, and provide an example of how your app will use the user's data.
To learn more about purpose string requirements, watch a video from App Review with tips for writing clear purpose strings. We look forward to reviewing your app once the appropriate changes have been made."
May I know how can I update my purpose string? I appealed on the first feedback by explaining what is the purpose of it but got the Feedback #2.
TYIA!!
I’m implementing a custom Authorization right with the following rule:
<key>authenticate-user</key>
<true/>
<key>allow-root</key>
<true/>
<key>class</key>
<string>user</string>
<key>group</key>
<string>admin</string>
The currently logged-in user is a standard user, and I’ve created a hidden admin account, e.g. _hiddenadmin, which has UID≠0 but belongs to the admin group.
From my Authorization Plug-in, I would like to programmatically satisfy this right using _hiddenadmin’s credentials, even though _hiddenadmin is not the logged-in user.
My question:
Is there a way to programmatically satisfy an authenticate-user right from an Authorization Plug-in using credentials of another (non-session) user?
Before device Reboot:
Here no issue from keychain.
2025-06-17 11:18:17.956334 +0530 WAVE PTX [DB_ENCRYPTION] Key successfully retrieved from the Keychain default
When device is in reboot and locked (Keychain access is set to FirstUnlock)
App got woken up in background
SEEMS(NOT SURE) DEVICE STILL IN LOCKED STARE IF YES THEN WHICH IS EXPECTED
2025-06-17 12:12:30.036184 +0530 WAVE PTX <ALA_ERROR>: [OS-CCF] [DB_ENCRYPTION] Error while retriving Private key -25308 default
2025-06-17 12:15:28.914700 +0530 WAVE PTX <ALA_ERROR> [DB_ENCRYPTION] Error retrieving key from the Keychain: -25300 default
——————————————————
And as per logs, here user has launch the application post unlock and application never got the keychain access here also.
HERE STILL HAS ISSUE WITH KEYCHAIN ACCESS.
2025-06-17 12:52:55.640976 +0530 WAVE PTX DEBUG : willFinishLaunchingWithOptions default
2025-06-17 12:52:55.651371 +0530 WAVE PTX <ALA_ERROR> [DB_ENCRYPTION] Error retrieving key from the Keychain: -25300 default
Issue Summary
I'm encountering a DCError.invalidInput error when calling DCAppAttestService.shared.generateAssertion() in my App Attest implementation. This issue affects only a small subset of users - the majority of users can successfully complete both attestation and assertion flows without any issues. According to Apple Engineer feedback, there might be a small implementation issue in my code.
Key Observations
Success Rate: ~95% of users complete the flow successfully
Failure Pattern: The remaining ~5% consistently fail at assertion generation
Key Length: Logs show key length of 44 characters for both successful and failing cases
Consistency: Users who experience the error tend to experience it consistently
Platform: Issue observed across different iOS versions and device types
Environment
iOS App Attest implementation
Using DCAppAttestService for both attestation and assertion
Custom relying party server communication
Issue affects ~5% of users consistently
Key Implementation Details
1. Attestation Flow (Working)
The attestation process works correctly:
// Generate key and attest (successful for all users)
self.attestService.generateKey { keyId, keyIdError in
guard keyIdError == nil, let keyId = keyId else {
return completionHandler(.failure(.dcError(keyIdError as! DCError)))
}
// Note: keyId length is consistently 44 characters for both successful and failing users
// Attest key with Apple servers
self.attestKey(keyId, clientData: clientData) { result in
// ... verification with RP server
// Key is successfully stored for ALL users (including those who later fail at assertion)
}
}
2. Assertion Flow (Failing for ~5% of Users with invalidInput)
The assertion generation fails for a consistent subset of users:
// Get assertion data from RP server
self.assertRelyingParty.getAssertionData(kid, with: data) { result in
switch result {
case .success(let receivedData):
let session = receivedData.session
let clientData = receivedData.clientData
let hash = clientData.toSHA256() // SHA256 hash of client data
// THIS CALL FAILS WITH invalidInput for ~5% of users
// Same keyId (44 chars) that worked for attestation
self.attestService.generateAssertion(kid, clientDataHash: hash) { assertion, err in
guard err == nil, let assertion = assertion else {
// Error: DCError.invalidInput
if let err = err as? DCError, err.code == .invalidKey {
return reattestAndAssert(.invalidKey, completionHandler)
} else {
return completionHandler(.failure(.dcError(err as! DCError)))
}
}
// ... verification logic
}
}
}
3. Client Data Structure
Client data JSON structure (identical for successful and failing users):
// For attestation (works for all users)
let clientData = ["challenge": receivedData.challenge]
// For assertion (fails for ~5% of users with same structure)
var clientData = ["challenge": receivedData.challenge]
if let data = data { // Additional data for assertion
clientData["account"] = data["account"]
clientData["amount"] = data["amount"]
}
4. SHA256 Hash Implementation
extension Data {
public func toSHA256() -> Data {
return Data(SHA256.hash(data: self))
}
}
5. Key Storage Implementation
Using UserDefaults for key storage (works consistently for all users):
private let keyStorageTag = "app-attest-keyid"
func setKey(_ keyId: String) -> Result<(), KeyStorageError> {
UserDefaults.standard.set(keyId, forKey: keyStorageTag)
return .success(())
}
func getKey() -> Result<String?, KeyStorageError> {
let keyId = UserDefaults.standard.string(forKey: keyStorageTag)
return .success(keyId)
}
Questions
User-Specific Factors: Since this affects only ~5% of users consistently, could there be device-specific, iOS version-specific, or account-specific factors that cause invalidInput?
Key State Validation: Is there any way to validate the state of an attested key before calling generateAssertion()? The key length (44 chars) appears normal for both successful and failing cases.
Keychain vs UserDefaults: Could the issue be related to using UserDefaults instead of Keychain for key storage? Though this works for 95% of users.
Race Conditions: Could there be subtle race conditions or timing issues that only affect certain users/devices?
Error Recovery: Is there a recommended way to handle this error? Should we attempt re-attestation for these users?
Additional Context & Debugging Attempts
Consistent Failure: Users who experience this error typically experience it on every attempt
Key Validation: Both successful and failing users have identical key formats (44 character strings)
Device Diversity: Issue observed across different device models and iOS versions
Server Logs: Our server successfully provides challenges and processes attestation for all users
Re-attestation: Forcing re-attestation sometimes resolves the issue temporarily, but it often recurs
The fact that 95% of users succeed with identical code suggests there might be some environmental or device-specific factor that we're not accounting for. Any insights into what could cause invalidInput for a subset of users would be invaluable.
Hi,
I develop a Mac application, initially on Catalina/Xcode12, but I recently upgrade to Monterey/Xcode13. I'm about to publish a new version: on Monterey all works as expected, but when I try the app on Sequoia, as a last step before uploading to the App Store, I encountered some weird security issues:
The main symptom is that it's no longer possible to save any file from the app using the Save panel, although the User Select File entitlement is set to Read/Write.
I've tried reinstalling different versions of the app, including the most recent downloaded from TestFlight. But, whatever the version, any try to save using the panel (e.g. on the desktop) results in a warning telling that I don't have authorization to record the file to that folder.
Moreover, when I type spctl -a -t exec -v /Applications/***.app in the terminal, it returns rejected, even when the application has been installed by TestFlight.
An EtreCheck report tells that my app is not signed, while codesign -dv /Applications/***.app returns a valid signature. I'm lost...
It suspect a Gate Keeper problem, but I cannot found any info on the web about how this system could be reset. I tried sudo spctl --reset-default, but it returns This operation is no longer supported...
I wonder if these symptoms depend on how the app is archived and could be propagated to my final users, or just related to a corrupted install of Sequoia on my local machine. My feeling is that a signature problem should have been detected by the archive validation, but how could we be sure?
Any idea would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
I have developed framework and want to use this framework in authplugin which added on same project in different target
That plugin target is working fine without framework, once I am adding framework the authplugin is not working
Auth-plugin I am using to change in screen-saver plist
Hi,
I am developing an app that checks if biometric authentication capabilities (Face ID and Touch ID) are available on a device. I have a few questions:
Do I need to include a privacy string in my app to use the LAContext's canEvaluatePolicy function? This function checks if biometric authentication is available on the device, but does not actually trigger the authentication.
From my testing, it seems like a privacy declaration is only required when using LAContext's evaluatePolicy function, which would trigger the biometric authentication. Can you confirm if this is the expected behavior across all iOS versions and iPhone models?
When exactly does the biometric authentication permission pop-up appear for users - is it when calling canEvaluatePolicy or evaluatePolicy? I want to ensure my users have a seamless experience.
Please let me know if you have any insights on these questions. I want to make sure I'm handling the biometric authentication functionality correctly in my app. Thank you!
Hello, I want to access the Docker socket API from inside the macOS App Sandbox. The method queries the API using curl with --unix-socket. However, the Sandbox blocks the request, as shown by the log: curl(22299) deny(1) network-outbound /Users/user/.docker/run/docker.sock Outgoing network traffic is generally allowed, but access to the Docker Unix socket is denied.
Here’s the code I’m using:
private func executeDockerAPI() -> String {
let process = Process()
let pipe = Pipe()
process.executableURL = URL(fileURLWithPath: "/usr/bin/curl")
process.arguments = [
"--unix-socket", "/Users/user/.docker/run/docker.sock",
"http://127.0.0.1/containers/json"
]
process.standardOutput = pipe
process.standardError = pipe
do {
try process.run()
process.waitUntilExit()
let data = pipe.fileHandleForReading.readDataToEndOfFile()
if let output = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) {
return output
} else {
return "Error while decoding"
}
} catch {
return "Error running command: \(error.localizedDescription)"
}
}
Is there any entitlement or sandbox configuration I’m missing to allow access to /Users/user/.docker/run/docker.sock from inside the sandbox?
Hello,
I have an application which uses a helper[1] to download[2] files. When files download is a DMG and user mounts the image to run the application from this DMG it doesn't pass Gatekeeper. It presents the "Application XYZ.app can't be opened.".
Same file downloaded via Safari shows a different dialog, the "XYZ.app is an app downloaded from the internet. Are you sure you want to open it?"
In the system log I see this line:
exec of /Volumes/SampleApp/SampleApp.app/Contents/MacOS/SampleApp denied since it was quarantined by Download\x20Helper and created without user consent, qtn-flags was 0x00000187
The application is running sandboxed and hardened, the main application has com.apple.security.files.downloads.read-write entitlement. Everything is signed by DeveloperID and passes all checks[3].
I tried to check the responsible process[4] of the helper. Then trivial stuff like download folder access in System Settings/Privacy & Security/Files & Folders. Everything seems to be fine.
For what it worths the value of quarantine attribute is following:
com.apple.quarantine: 0087;6723b80e;My App;
The Safari downloaded one posses:
com.apple.quarantine: 0083;6723b9fa;Safari;02162070-2561-42BE-B30B-19A0E94FE7CA
Also tried a few more ways and got to 0081 with Edge and 0082 with a sample app with similar setup. Not sure if that has any meaning.
What could I be doing wrong that Gatekeeper right away refuses to run the application from DMG instead of showing the dialog like in other cases?
[1] The executable is in application bundle located in Contents/Helpers/DownloadHelper.app in the main application bundle.
[2] Nothing fancy, curl + regular POSIX file operations
[3] codesign, syspolicy_check, spctl
[4] launchctl procinfo pid
I'm working on a Password Manager app that integrates with the AutoFill Credential Provider to provide stored passwords and OTPs to the user within Safari and other apps.
Password AutoFill works perfectly.
I'm unable to get iOS to register that the app supports OTPs though.
I've followed the Apple documentation here: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/authenticationservices/providing-one-time-passcodes-to-autofill and added "ProvidesOneTimeCodes" to the AutoFill extension's Info.plist, but iOS just doesn't seem to notice the OTP support.
<key>ASCredentialProviderExtensionCapabilities</key>
<dict>
<key>ProvidesOneTimeCodes</key>
<true/>
<key>ProvidesPasswords</key>
<true/>
</dict>
Any help would be greatly appreicated!
Topic:
Privacy & Security
SubTopic:
General
Tags:
Extensions
Entitlements
Autofill
Authentication Services
In my app, I use SecItem to store some data in the Keychain. I’d like to know — when a user sets up a new iPhone and transfers data from the old device, will those Keychain items be migrated or synced to the new device?
My high-level goal is to add support for Game Mode in a Java game, which launches via a macOS "launcher" app that runs the actual java game as a separate process (e.g. using the java command line tool).
I asked this over in the Graphics & Games section and was told this, which is why I'm reposting this here.
I'm uncertain how to speak to CLI tools and Java games launched from a macOS app. These sound like security and sandboxing questions which we recommend you ask about in those sections of the forums.
The system seems to decide whether to enable Game Mode based on values in the Info.plist (e.g. for LSApplicationCategoryType and GCSupportsGameMode). However, the child process can't seem to see these values. Is there a way to change that?
(The rest of this post is copied from my other forums post to provide additional context.)
Imagine a native macOS app that acts as a "launcher" for a Java game.** For example, the "launcher" app might use the Swift Process API or a similar method to run the java command line tool (lets assume the user has installed Java themselves) to run the game.
I have seen How to Enable Game Mode. If the native launcher app's Info.plist has the following keys set:
LSApplicationCategoryType set to public.app-category.games
LSSupportsGameMode set to true (for macOS 26+)
GCSupportsGameMode set to true
The launcher itself can cause Game Mode to activate if the launcher is fullscreened. However, if the launcher opens a Java process that opens a window, then the Java window is fullscreened, Game Mode doesn't seem to activate. In this case activating Game Mode for the launcher itself is unnecessary, but you'd expect Game Mode to activate when the actual game in the Java window is fullscreened.
Is there a way to get Game Mode to activate in the latter case?
** The concrete case I'm thinking of is a third-party Minecraft Java Edition launcher, but the issue can also be demonstrated in a sample project (FB13786152). It seems like the official Minecraft launcher is able to do this, though it's not clear how. (Is its bundle identifier hardcoded in the OS to allow for this? Changing a sample app's bundle identifier to be the same as the official Minecraft launcher gets the behavior I want, but obviously this is not a practical solution.)
Topic:
Privacy & Security
SubTopic:
General
Tags:
Games
Inter-process communication
macOS
Performance
Hi,
I have a certificate, how can I display the certificate content in my Mac app just like Keychain Access app does. Can I popup the certificate content dialog just like Keychain Access app?
I am developing a custom authorization plugin for macOS, and I’ve encountered an issue where the auth plugin view remains visible on the home screen for a few seconds after login.
Issue Details:
After entering valid credentials, I call setResult(.allow) in my plugin to proceed with login.
The authentication succeeds, and macOS starts transitioning to the home screen.
However, for a few seconds after login, the authorization plugin view is still visible on the home screen before it disappears.
I have observed this issue even when using Apple's sample authorization plugin.
Observation:
This issue occurs without an external monitor (on a single built-in display).
If I manually close the plugin window inside Destroy(AuthPlugin.mechanism), then the auth plugin views do not appear on the home screen, which seems to fix the issue.
However, when I do this, a gray screen appears for about a second before the desktop environment fully loads.
I suspect that the gray screen appears due to the time macOS takes to fully load the home screen environment after login.
Questions:
Why does the authorization plugin view persist on the home screen for a few seconds after login?
Is manually closing the plugin window in Destroy(AuthPlugin.mechanism) the correct way to prevent this, or is there a better approach?
Is my assumption that the gray screen appears due to the home screen not being fully loaded correct?
If the gray screen is caused by home screen loading, is there a system notification or event I can listen to in order to know when the home screen has fully loaded?