UBTU-22-611045 Ubuntu 22.04 LTS must be configured so that when passwords are changed or new passwords are established, pwquality must be used.
All changes in this version
Maps to CM-6 via CCI-000366
Title
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS must be configured so that when passwords are changed or new passwords are established, pwquality must be used.
Control
Verify Ubuntu 22.04 LTS enforces password complexity rules by using the following command: $ grep -i enforcing /etc/security/pwquality.conf enforcing = 1 If "enforcing" is not "1", is commented out, or is missing, this is a finding. Check for the use of "pwquality" by using the following command: $ cat /etc/pam.d/common-password | grep requisite | grep pam_pwquality password requisite pam_pwquality.so retry=3 If "retry" is set to "0" or is greater than "3", or is missing, this is a finding.
Discussion
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. "pwquality" enforces complex password construction configuration and has the ability to limit brute-force attacks on the system.
Related controls
CCI-000366
Fix
Configure Ubuntu 22.04 LTS to enforce password complexity rules. Add or modify the following line in the "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" file: enforcing = 1 Add or modify the following line in the "/etc/pam.d/common-password" file: password requisite pam_pwquality.so retry=3 Note: The value of "retry" should be between "1" and "3".