Check: UBTU-20-010054
Canonical Ubuntu 20.04 LTS STIG:
UBTU-20-010054
(in versions v1 r12 through v1 r5)
Title
The Ubuntu operating system must enforce a minimum 15-character password length. (Cat II impact)
Discussion
The shorter the password, the lower the number of possible combinations that need to be tested before the password is compromised. Password complexity, or strength, is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting attempts at guessing and brute-force attacks. Password length is one factor of several that helps to determine strength and how long it takes to crack a password. Use of more characters in a password helps to exponentially increase the time and/or resources required to compromise the password.
Check Content
Verify the pwquality configuration file enforces a minimum 15-character password length by running the following command: $ grep -i minlen /etc/security/pwquality.conf minlen=15 If "minlen" parameter value is not "15" or higher or is commented out, this is a finding.
Fix Text
Configure the Ubuntu operating system to enforce a minimum 15-character password length. Add or modify the "minlen" parameter value to the "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" file: minlen=15
Additional Identifiers
Rule ID: SV-238225r832942_rule
Vulnerability ID: V-238225
Group Title: SRG-OS-000078-GPOS-00046
Expert Comments
CCIs
Number | Definition |
---|---|
CCI-000205 |
The information system enforces minimum password length. |
Controls
Number | Title |
---|---|
IA-5 (1) |
Password-Based Authentication |