Title

TOSS must store only encrypted representations of passwords. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Passwords need to be protected at all times, and encryption is the standard method for protecting passwords. If passwords are not encrypted, they can be plainly read (i.e., clear text) and easily compromised. Unapproved mechanisms that are used for authentication to the cryptographic module are not verified and therefore cannot be relied upon to provide confidentiality or integrity, and DOD data may be compromised. FIPS 140-2 is the current standard for validating that mechanisms used to access cryptographic modules utilize authentication that meets DOD requirements.

Check Content

Verify that the TOSS shadow password suite configuration is set to encrypt password with a FIPS 140-2-approved cryptographic hashing algorithm. Check the hashing algorithm that is being used to hash passwords with the following command: $ sudo grep -i crypt /etc/login.defs ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512 If "ENCRYPT_METHOD" does not equal SHA512 or greater, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure TOSS to encrypt all stored passwords. Edit/Modify the following line in the "/etc/login.defs" file and set "ENCRYPT_METHOD" to SHA512. ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-253064r986594_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-253064

Group Title: SRG-OS-000073-GPOS-00041

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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