Title

AIX must not have accounts configured with blank or null passwords. (Cat I impact)

Discussion

If an account is configured for password authentication but does not have an assigned password, it may be possible to log into the account without authentication. If the root user is configured without a password, the entire system may be compromised. For user accounts not using password authentication, the account must be configured with a password lock value instead of a blank or null value.

Check Content

Verify no interactive accounts have blank passwords by running the following command: # pwdck -n ALL If any interactive account with a blank password is found, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure a password for any interactive account with a blank password by running the following command: # passwd [user_name]

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-215197r991591_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-215197

Group Title: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00229

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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