Google Android 13 BYOAD Security Technical Implementation Guide

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Severity
CurrentPublished Wed Oct 01 2025
Objective ID
Severity
Discussion
V-258475
low
If DOD VPN profiles are configured in the Personal Profile DOD sensitive data world be at risk of compromise and the DOD network could be at risk of being attacked by malware installed on the device.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #3
V-258476
medium
Password strength is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting guessing and brute force attacks. The ability to crack a password is a function of how many attempts an adversary is permitted, how quickly an adversary can do each attempt, and the size of the password space. The longer the minimum length of the password is, the larger the password space. Having a too-short minimum password length significantly reduces password strength, increasing the chance of password compromise and resulting device and data compromise.

Satisfies: PP-MDF-333024, PP-MDF-333025

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #1a
V-258478
medium
The screen lock timeout must be set to a value that helps protect the device from unauthorized access. Having a too-long timeout would increase the window of opportunity for adversaries who gain physical access to the mobile device through loss, theft, etc. Such devices are much more likely to be in an unlocked state when acquired by an adversary, thus granting immediate access to the data on the mobile device. The maximum timeout period of 15 minutes has been selected to balance functionality and security; shorter timeout periods may be appropriate depending on the risks posed to the mobile device.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #2b
V-258479
medium
The more attempts an adversary makes to guess a password, the more likely the adversary will enter the correct password and gain access to resources on the device. Setting a limit on the number of attempts mitigates this risk. Setting the limit at 10 or less gives authorized users the ability to make a few mistakes when entering the password but still provides adequate protection against dictionary or brute force attacks on the password.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #2c, FIA_AFL_EXT.1.5
V-258480
medium
Forcing all applications to be installed from authorized application repositories can prevent unauthorized and malicious applications from being installed and executed on mobile devices. Allowing such installations and executions could cause a compromise of DOD data accessible by these unauthorized/malicious applications.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #8a
V-258481
medium
The application allowlist, in addition to controlling the installation of applications on the MD, must control user access/execution of all core and preinstalled applications, or the MD must provide an alternate method of restricting user access/execution to core and preinstalled applications.

Core application: Any application integrated into the OS by the OS or MD vendors.

Preinstalled application: Additional noncore applications included in the OS build by the OS vendor, MD vendor, or wireless carrier.

Requiring all authorized applications to be in an application allowlist prevents the execution of any applications (e.g., unauthorized, malicious) that are not part of the allowlist. Failure to configure an application allowlist properly could allow unauthorized and malicious applications to be downloaded, installed, and executed on the mobile device, causing a compromise of DOD data accessible by these applications.

The application allowlist, in addition to controlling the installation of applications on the MD, must control user access/execution of all core applications (included in the OS by the OS vendor) and preinstalled applications (provided by the MD vendor and wireless carrier), or the MD must provide an alternate method of restricting user access/execution to core and preinstalled applications.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #8b
V-258482
medium
Requiring all authorized applications to be in an application allowlist prevents the execution of any applications (e.g., unauthorized, malicious) that are not part of the allowlist. Failure to configure an application allowlist properly could allow unauthorized and malicious applications to be downloaded, installed, and executed on the mobile device, causing a compromise of DOD data accessible by these applications. Applications with the listed characteristics have features that can cause the compromise of sensitive DOD data or have features with no known application in the DOD environment.

Application Note: The application allowlist, in addition to controlling the installation of applications on the MD, must control user access/execution of all core and preinstalled applications, or the MD must provide an alternate method of restricting user access/execution to core and preinstalled applications.

Core application: Any application integrated into the OS by the OS or MD vendors.

Preinstalled application: Additional noncore applications included in the OS build by the OS vendor, MD vendor, or wireless carrier.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #8b
V-258483
medium
Many mobile devices display notifications on the lock screen so that users can obtain relevant information in a timely manner without having to frequently unlock the phone to determine if there are new notifications. However, in many cases, these notifications can contain sensitive information. When they are available on the lock screen, an adversary can see them merely by being in close physical proximity to the device. Configuring the mobile operating system (MOS) to not send notifications to the lock screen mitigates this risk.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #18
V-258484
medium
Trust agents allow a user to unlock a mobile device without entering a passcode when the mobile device is, for example, connected to a user-selected Bluetooth device or in a user-selected location. This technology would allow unauthorized users to have access to DOD sensitive data if compromised. By not permitting the use of nonpassword authentication mechanisms, users are forced to use passcodes that meet DOD passcode requirements.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #22, FIA_UAU.5.1
V-258485
low
Before granting access to the system, the mobile operating system is required to display the DOD-approved system use notification message or banner that provides privacy and security notices consistent with applicable Federal laws, Executive Orders, directives, policies, regulations, standards, and guidance. Required banners help ensure that DOD can audit and monitor the activities of mobile device users without legal restriction.

System use notification messages can be displayed when individuals first access or unlock the mobile device. The banner must be implemented as a "click-through" banner at device unlock (to the extent permitted by the operating system). A "click-through" banner prevents further activity on the information system unless and until the user executes a positive action to manifest agreement by clicking on a box indicating "OK".

The approved DOD text must be used exactly as required in the Knowledge Service referenced in DODI 8500.01. For devices accommodating banners of 1300 characters, the banner text is:

You are accessing a U.S. Government (USG) Information System (IS) that is provided for USG-authorized use only.
By using this IS (which includes any device attached to this IS), you consent to the following conditions:
-The USG routinely intercepts and monitors communications on this IS for purposes including, but not limited to, penetration testing, COMSEC monitoring, network operations and defense, personnel misconduct (PM), law enforcement (LE), and counterintelligence (CI) investigations.
-At any time, the USG may inspect and seize data stored on this IS.
-Communications using, or data stored on, this IS are not private, are subject to routine monitoring, interception, and search, and may be disclosed or used for any USG-authorized purpose.
-This IS includes security measures (e.g., authentication and access controls) to protect USG interests--not for your personal benefit or privacy.
-Notwithstanding the above, using this IS does not constitute consent to PM, LE or CI investigative searching or monitoring of the content of privileged communications, or work product, related to personal representation or services by attorneys, psychotherapists, or clergy, and their assistants. Such communications and work product are private and confidential. See User Agreement for details.

For devices with severe character limitations, the banner text is:

I've read & consent to terms in IS user agreem't.

The administrator must configure the banner text exactly as written without any changes.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #36
V-258486
medium
Backups to remote systems (including cloud backup) can leave data vulnerable to breach on the external systems, which often offer less protection than the mobile operating system (MOS). Where the remote backup involves a cloud-based solution, the backup capability is often used to synchronize data across multiple devices. In this case, DOD devices may synchronize DOD sensitive information to a user's personal device or other unauthorized computers that are vulnerable to breach. Disallowing remote backup mitigates this risk.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #40
V-258487
medium
App data sharing gives apps the ability to access the data of other apps for enhanced user functionality. However, sharing also poses a significant risk that unauthorized users or apps will obtain access to DOD sensitive information. To mitigate this risk, there are data sharing restrictions, primarily from sharing data from personal (unmanaged) apps and work (managed) apps. If a user is allowed to make exceptions to the data sharing restriction policy, the user could enable unauthorized sharing of data, leaving it vulnerable to breach. Limiting the granting of exceptions to either the Administrator or common application developer mitigates this risk.

Copy/paste of data between applications in different application processes or groups of application processes is considered an exception to the access control policy and therefore, the Administrator must be able to enable/disable the feature. Other exceptions include allowing any data or application sharing between process groups.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #42, FDP_ACF_EXT.1.2
V-258488
medium
The security posture of Google devices requires the device user to configure several required policy rules on their device. User-Based Enforcement (UBE) is required for these controls. In addition, if the Authorizing Official (AO) has approved the use of an unmanaged personal space, the user must receive training on risks. If a user is not aware of their responsibilities and does not comply with UBE requirements, the security posture of the Google mobile device and DOD sensitive data may become compromised.

SFR ID: NA
V-258489
medium
DOD root and intermediate PKI certificates are used to verify the authenticity of PKI certificates of users and web services. If the root and intermediate certificates are not available, an adversary could falsely sign a certificate in such a way that it could not be detected. Providing access to the DOD root and intermediate PKI certificates greatly diminishes the risk of this attack.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #47
V-258490
medium
If the user can add a personal email account (POP3, IMAP, EAS) to the work email app, it could be used to forward sensitive DOD data to unauthorized recipients. Restricting email account addition to the administrator or restricting email account addition to allowlisted accounts mitigates this vulnerability.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #47
V-258491
medium
The system application disables list controls user access to/execution of all core and preinstalled applications.

Core application: Any application integrated into Google Android 13 by Google.

Preinstalled application: Additional noncore applications included in the Google Android 13 build by Google or the wireless carrier.

Some system applications can compromise DOD data or upload users' information to non-DOD-approved servers. A user must be blocked from using such applications that exhibit behavior that can result in compromise of DOD data or DOD user information.

The site administrator must analyze all preinstalled applications on the device and disable all applications not approved for DOD use by configuring the system application disable list.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #47
V-258492
medium
The Android work profile for employee-owned devices (BYOD) is the designated application group for the BYOAD use case.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #47
V-258493
medium
The autofill functionality in the web browser allows the user to complete a form that contains sensitive information, such as personally identifiable information (PII), without previous knowledge of the information. By allowing the use of autofill functionality, an adversary who learns a user's Android 13 device password, or who otherwise can unlock the device, may be able to further breach other systems by relying on the autofill feature to provide information unknown to the adversary. By disabling the autofill functionality, the risk of an adversary gaining further information about the device's user or compromising other systems is significantly mitigated.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #47
V-258494
medium
The autofill services allow the user to complete text inputs that could contain sensitive information, such as personally identifiable information (PII), without previous knowledge of the information. By allowing the use of autofill services, an adversary who learns a user's Android 13 device password, or who otherwise can unlock the device, may be able to further breach other systems by relying on the autofill services to provide information unknown to the adversary. By disabling the autofill services, the risk of an adversary gaining further information about the device's user or compromising other systems is significantly mitigated.

Examples of apps that offer autofill services include Samsung Pass, Google, Dashlane, LastPass, and 1Password.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #47
V-258495
high
Required security features are not available in earlier operating system versions. In addition, earlier versions may have known vulnerabilities.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #47
V-258496
low
Many third-party keyboard applications are known to contain malware.

SFR ID: FMT_SMF_EXT.1.1 #47
V-258497
medium
DOD root and intermediate PKI certificates are used to verify the authenticity of PKI certificates of users and web services. If the user is allowed to remove root and intermediate certificates, the user could allow an adversary to falsely sign a certificate in such a way that it could not be detected. Restricting the ability to remove DOD root and intermediate PKI certificates to the Administrator mitigates this risk.

SFR ID: FMT_MOF_EXT.1.2 #47
V-276957
high
Google Android 13 BYOAD is no longer supported by Google and therefore may contain security vulnerabilities.

Satisfies: FMT_MOF_EXT.1.2 #47
Reference: PP-MDF-990000