cis-ubuntu2004-v300-5-3-2-4

DevOps & Security

Ensure pam_pwhistory module is enabled

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5.3.2.4 Ensure pam_pwhistory module is enabled (Automated)

Profile Applicability

Level 1 - Server
Level 1 - Workstation

Description

The pam_pwhistory.so module saves the last passwords for each user in order to force password change history and keep the user from alternating between the same password too frequently.

This module does not work together with kerberos. In general, it does not make much sense to use this module in conjunction with NIS or LDAP, since the old passwords are stored on the local machine and are not available on another machine for password history checking.

Rationale

Use of a unique, complex passwords helps to increase the time and resources required to compromise the password.

Audit Procedure

Command Line

Run the following command to verify that pam_pwhistory.so is enabled:

# grep -P -- '\bpam_pwhistory\.so\b' /etc/pam.d/common-password

Expected Result

Output should be similar to:

password   requisite   pam_pwhistory.so remember=24 enforce_for_root use_authtok

Remediation

Command Line

Run the following script to verify the pam_pwhistory.so line exists in a pam-auth-update profile:

# grep -P -- '\bpam_pwhistory\.so\b' /usr/share/pam-configs/*

Output should be similar to:

/usr/share/pam-configs/pwhistory:       requisite   pam_pwhistory.so remember=24 enforce_for_root use_authtok

IF - similar output is returned: Run the following command to update /etc/pam.d/common-password with the returned profile:

# pam-auth-update --enable {PROFILE_NAME}

Example:

# pam-auth-update pwhistory

IF - similar output is NOT returned: Create a pwhistory profile in /usr/share/pam-configs/ with the following lines:

Name: pwhistory password history checking
Default: yes
Priority: 1024
Password-Type: Primary
Password: requisite pam_pwhistory.so remember=24 enforce_for_root use_authtok

Example Script:

#!/usr/bin/env bash

{
  arr=('Name: pwhistory password history checking' 'Default: yes' 'Priority: 1024' 'Password-Type: Primary' 'Password:' '        requisite                       pam_pwhistory.so remember=24 enforce_for_root use_authtok')
  printf '%s\n' "${arr[@]}" > /usr/share/pam-configs/pwhistory
}

Run the following command to update /etc/pam.d/common-password with the pwhistory profile:

# pam-auth-update --enable pwhistory

Note:

The name used for the file must be used in the pam-auth-update --enable command
The Name: line should be easily recognizable and understood
The Priority: Line is important as it effects the order of the lines in the /etc/pam.d/ files
If a site specific custom profile is being used in your environment to configure PAM that includes the configuration for the pam_pwhistory module, enable that module instead

References

None listed.

CIS Controls

Controls Version	Control	IG 1	IG 2	IG 3
v8	5.2 Use Unique Passwords	*	*	*
v7	4.4 Use Unique Passwords		*	*

MITRE ATT&CK Mappings

Techniques / Sub-techniques	Tactics	Mitigations
T1110, T1110.001, T1110.002, T1110.003, T1178.001, T1178.002, T1178.003, T1178.004	TA0006	M1027