cis-ubuntu2004-v300-5-3-3-2-7

DevOps & Security

Ensure password quality checking is enforced

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5.3.3.2.7 Ensure password quality checking is enforced (Automated)

Profile Applicability

Level 1 - Server
Level 1 - Workstation

Description

The pam_pwquality module can be configured to either reject a password if it fails the checks, or only print a warning.

This is configured by setting the enforcing=<N> argument. If nonzero, a password will be rejected if it fails the checks, otherwise only a warning message will be provided.

This setting applies only to the pam_pwquality module and possibly other applications that explicitly change their behavior based on it. It does not affect pwmake(1) and pwscore(1).

Rationale

Strong passwords help protect systems from password attacks. Types of password attacks include dictionary attacks, which attempt to use common words and phrases, and brute force attacks, which try every possible combination of characters. Also attackers may try to obtain the account database so they can use tools to discover the accounts and passwords.

Audit Procedure

Command Line

Run the following command to verify that enforcing=0 has not been set in a pwquality configuration file:

# grep -PHsi -- '^\h*enforcing\h*=\h*0\b' /etc/security/pwquality.conf /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/*.conf

Nothing should be returned.

Run the following command to verify that the enforcing=0 argument has not been set on the pam_pwquality module:

# grep -PHsi -- '^\h*password\h+[^#\n\r]+\h+pam_pwquality\.so\h+([^#\n\r]+\h+)?enforcing=0\b' /etc/pam.d/common-password

Nothing should be returned.

Remediation

Command Line

Run the following command:

# grep -Pl -- '\bpam_pwquality\.so\h+([^#\n\r]+\h+)?enforcing=0\b' /usr/share/pam-configs/*

Edit any returned files and remove the enforcing=0 argument from the pam_pwquality.so line(s).

Edit /etc/security/pwquality.conf and all files ending in .conf in the /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/ directory and remove or comment out any line containing the enforcing = 0 argument:

Example:

# sed -ri 's/^\s*enforcing\s*=\s*0/# &/' /etc/security/pwquality.conf /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/*.conf

Default Value

enforcing=1

References

pam_pwquality(8)
PWQUALITY.CONF(5)
NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: IA-5

CIS Controls

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