Title

The Ubuntu operating system must prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

If the Ubuntu 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 that the Ubuntu operating system uses the cracklib library to prevent the use of dictionary words with the following command: # grep dictcheck /etc/security/pwquality.conf dictcheck=1 If the "dictcheck" parameter is not set to "1", or is commented out, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the Ubuntu operating system to prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords. Add or update the following line in the "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" file to include the "dictcheck=1" parameter: dictcheck=1

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-219184r610963_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-219184

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

Expert Comments

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