Check: ACF2-ES-000990
IBM z/OS ACF2 STIG:
ACF2-ES-000990
(in versions v9 r2 through v8 r2)
Title
IBM z/OS must enforce a minimum eight 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
From an ACF command screen enter: SET CONTROL(GSO) LIST PSWD If "MINPSWD" is set to "8", this is not a finding.
Fix Text
Configure the Password option "MINPSWD" to "8".
Additional Identifiers
Rule ID: SV-252705r1001146_rule
Vulnerability ID: V-252705
Group Title: SRG-OS-000481-GPOS-00481
Expert Comments
CCIs
| Number | Definition |
|---|---|
| CCI-000205 |
The information system enforces minimum password length. |
| 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 |