Title

The Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system must be configured so that passwords for new users are restricted to a 60-day maximum lifetime. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Any password, no matter how complex, can eventually be cracked. Therefore, passwords need to be changed periodically. If the operating system does not limit the lifetime of passwords and force users to change their passwords, there is the risk that the operating system passwords could be compromised.

Check Content

If passwords are not being used for authentication, this is Not Applicable. Verify the operating system enforces a 60-day maximum password lifetime restriction for new user accounts. Check for the value of "PASS_MAX_DAYS" in "/etc/login.defs" with the following command: # grep -i pass_max_days /etc/login.defs PASS_MAX_DAYS 60 If the "PASS_MAX_DAYS" parameter value is not 60 or less, or is commented out, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the operating system to enforce a 60-day maximum password lifetime restriction. Add the following line in "/etc/login.defs" (or modify the line to have the required value): PASS_MAX_DAYS 60

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-204420r603261_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-204420

Group Title: SRG-OS-000076-GPOS-00044

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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