Title

NixOS must prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

If the operating system allows the user to select passwords based on dictionary words, then this increases the chances of password compromise by increasing the opportunity for successful guesses and brute-force attacks.

Check Content

Verify NixOS prevents the use of dictionary words for passwords with the following command: $ grep dict /etc/security/pwquality.conf dictcheck=1 If the value of "ocredit" is a positive number or is commented out, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure NixOS to check password change attempts against a dictionary. Add/modify /etc/nixos/configuration.nix to include the following lines: environment.etc."/security/pwquality.conf".text = '' dictcheck=1 ''; Rebuild the system with the following command: $ sudo nixos-rebuild switch

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-268169r1039395_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-268169

Group Title: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00225

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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