Title

Ubuntu OS must not allow accounts configured with blank or null passwords. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

If an account has an empty password, anyone could log on and run commands with the privileges of that account. Accounts with empty passwords must never be used in operational environments.

Check Content

Verify null passwords cannot be used. Run the following command: $ grep nullok /etc/pam.d/common-auth /etc/pam.d/common-password If this produces any output, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Remove any instances of the "nullok" option in "/etc/pam.d/common-password" to prevent logons with empty passwords. Remove any instances of the "nullok" option in "/etc/pam.d/common-auth" and "/etc/pam.d/common-password".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-275658r1148024_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-275658

Group Title: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227

Expert Comments

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