cis-ubuntu2004-v300-5-3-3-2-8

DevOps & Security

Ensure password quality is enforced for the root user

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5.3.3.2.8 Ensure password quality is enforced for the root user (Automated)

Profile Applicability

Level 1 - Server
Level 1 - Workstation

Description

If the pwquality enforce_for_root option is enabled, the module will return error on failed check even if the user changing the password is root.

This option is off by default which means that just the message about the failed check is printed but root can change the password anyway.

Note: The root is not asked for an old password so the checks that compare the old and new password are not performed.

Rationale

Use of a complex password helps to increase the time and resources required to compromise the password. Password complexity, or strength, is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting attempts at guessing and brute-force attacks.

Password complexity is one factor of several that determines how long it takes to crack a password. The more complex the password, the greater the number of possible combinations that need to be tested before the password is compromised.

Audit Procedure

Command Line

Run the following command to verify that the enforce_for_root option is enabled in a pwquality configuration file:

# grep -Psi -- '^\h*enforce_for_root\b' /etc/security/pwquality.conf /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/*.conf

Example output:

/etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/50-pwroot.conf:enforce_for_root

Note:

Settings observe an order of precedence:
- module arguments override the settings in the /etc/security/pwquality.conf configuration file
- settings in the /etc/security/pwquality.conf configuration file override settings in a .conf file in the /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/ directory
- settings in a .conf file in the /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/ directory are read in canonical order, with last read file containing the setting taking precedence
It is recommended that settings be configured in a .conf file in the /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/ directory for clarity, convenience, and durability.

Remediation

Command Line

Edit or add the following line in a *.conf file in /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d or in /etc/security/pwquality.conf:

Example:

#!/usr/bin/env bash

{
  [ ! -d /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/ ] && mkdir /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/
  printf '\n%s\n' "enforce_for_root" > /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/50-pwroot.conf
}

Default Value

disabled

References

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		*	*