Title

Amazon Linux 2023 must configure the use of the pam_faillock.so module in the /etc/pam.d/system-auth file. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

If the pam_faillock.so module is not loaded, the system will not correctly lockout accounts to prevent password guessing attacks.

Check Content

Verify Amazon Linux 2023 is configured so that the pam_faillock.so module is present in the "/etc/pam.d/system-auth" file: $ grep pam_faillock.so /etc/pam.d/system-auth auth required pam_faillock.so preauth auth required pam_faillock.so authfail account required pam_faillock.so If the pam_faillock.so module is not present in the "/etc/pam.d/system-auth" file with the "preauth" line listed before pam_unix.so, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure Amazon Linux 2023 to include the use of the pam_faillock.so module in the /etc/pam.d/system-auth file. Add/modify the appropriate sections of the "/etc/pam.d/system-auth" file to match the following lines: Note: The "preauth" line must be listed before pam_unix.so. auth required pam_faillock.so preauth auth required pam_faillock.so authfail account required pam_faillock.so

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-274186r1120546_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-274186

Group Title: SRG-OS-000021-GPOS-00005

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.