Title

The passwd command must be configured to prevent the use of dictionary words as passwords. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

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

Check Content

Verify the "passwd" command uses the common-password settings. Check that the "passwd" command uses the common-password option with the following command: # grep common-password /etc/pam.d/passwd @ include common-password If the command does not return a line, or the line is commented out, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the Ubuntu operating system to prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords. Edit the file "/etc/pam.d/passwd" and add the following line: @ include common-password

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-214965r610931_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-214965

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

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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