Title

The IBM z/VM CA VM:Secure product User Exit must not allow passwords that match the user name. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Password complexity, or strength, is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting guessing and brute-force attacks. Password complexity is one factor of several that determine how long it takes to crack a password. The more complex the password is, the greater the number of possible combinations that need to be tested before the password is compromised. Use of a complex password helps to increase the time and resources required to compromise the password. Passwords that match the user name reduce the complexity of the password.

Check Content

If there is no VM:Secure PASSWORD user exit in use, this is a finding. Review the VM:Secure PASSWORD user exit. If there is no code that prohibits the use of user name in the new password, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure a VM:Secure PASSWORD user exit that prohibits the user of the user name in the new Password. Ensure that the following macros are updated with proper PASSWORD user exit: FORCEPWC VMXCHGPW MAINT USE00080

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID:

Vulnerability ID: IBMZ-VM-000540

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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