Title

SLEM 5 must prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

If SLEM 5 allows the user to select passwords based on dictionary words, this increases the chances of password compromise by increasing the opportunity for successful guesses and brute-force attacks.

Check Content

Verify SLEM 5 prevents the use of dictionary words for passwords with the following command: > grep pam_cracklib.so /etc/pam.d/common-password password requisite pam_cracklib.so If the second column value is different from "requisite", the line is commented out, or the line is missing, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure SLEM 5 to prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords. Edit "/etc/pam.d/common-password" and add the following line: password requisite pam_cracklib.so

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-261381r996574_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-261381

Group Title: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00225

Expert Comments

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