Title

The Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system must be configured so that existing passwords 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

Check whether the maximum time period for existing passwords is restricted to 60 days. # awk -F: '$5 > 60 {print $1 " " $5}' /etc/shadow If any results are returned that are not associated with a system account, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure non-compliant accounts to enforce a 60-day maximum password lifetime restriction. # chage -M 60 [user]

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-204421r603261_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-204421

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.