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RHEL-09-611075 RHEL 9 passwords for new users or password changes must have a 24 hours minimum password lifetime restriction in /etc/login.defs.

DISA STIG library V2R10
All changes in this version
first version loaded CAT II

Maps to IA-5(1) via CCI-004066, CCI-000198

Title

RHEL 9 passwords for new users or password changes must have a 24 hours minimum password lifetime restriction in /etc/login.defs.

Control

Verify RHEL 9 enforces 24 hours as the minimum password lifetime for new user accounts. Check for the value of "PASS_MIN_DAYS" in "/etc/login.defs" with the following command: $ grep -i pass_min_days /etc/login.defs PASS_MIN_DAYS 1 If the "PASS_MIN_DAYS" parameter value is not "1" or greater, or is commented out, this is a finding.

Discussion

Enforcing a minimum password lifetime helps to prevent repeated password changes to defeat the password reuse or history enforcement requirement. If users are allowed to immediately and continually change their password, then the password could be repeatedly changed in a short period of time to defeat the organization's policy regarding password reuse. Setting the minimum password age protects against users cycling back to a favorite password after satisfying the password reuse requirement.

Related controls

CCI-000198, CCI-004066

Fix

Configure RHEL 9 to enforce 24 hours as the minimum password lifetime. Add the following line in "/etc/login.defs" (or modify the line to have the required value): PASS_MIN_DAYS 1