Check: ACF2-ES-000820
IBM z/OS ACF2 STIG:
ACF2-ES-000820
(in versions v9 r2 through v8 r2)
Title
CA-ACF2 must enforce password complexity by requiring that at least one special character be used. (Cat II impact)
Discussion
Use of a complex password helps to increase the time and resources required to compromise the password. Password complexity or strength is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting attempts at guessing and brute-force attacks. Password complexity is one factor in determining how long it takes to crack a password. The more complex the password, the greater the number of possible combinations that need to be tested before the password is compromised. Special characters are those characters that are not alphanumeric. Examples include: ~ ! @ # $ % ^ *.
Check Content
From an ACF command screen enter: SET CONTROL(GSO) LIST PSWD If PSWDPLST is coded as defined in CA ACF2 for z/OS Administration Guide, this is not a finding.
Fix Text
Configure Password option PSWDPLST as defined in CA ACF2 for z/OS Administration Guide.
Additional Identifiers
Rule ID: SV-223500r1001103_rule
Vulnerability ID: V-223500
Group Title: SRG-OS-000266-GPOS-00101
Expert Comments
CCIs
| Number | Definition |
|---|---|
| CCI-001619 |
The information system enforces password complexity by the minimum number of special characters used. |
| CCI-004065 |
For password-based authentication, employ automated tools to assist the user in selecting strong password authenticators. |
| CCI-004066 |
For password-based authentication, enforce organization-defined composition and complexity rules. |
Controls
| Number | Title |
|---|---|
| IA-5(1) |
Password-based Authentication |