The Ubuntu operating system must prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords.

From Canonical Ubuntu 16.04 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000366

SV-90161r4_rule The Ubuntu operating system must prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords.

Vulnerability discussion

If the Ubuntu operating system allows the user to select passwords based on dictionary words, this increases the chances of password compromise by increasing the opportunity for successful guesses and brute-force attacks.

Check content

Verify the Ubuntu operating system prevents the use of dictionary words for passwords. Determine if the field "dictcheck" is set in the "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" or "/etc/pwquality.conf.d/*.conf" files with the following command: # grep dictcheck /etc/security/pwquality.conf /etc/pwquality.conf.d/*.conf dictcheck=1 If the "dictcheck" parameter is not set to "1", or is commented out, this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure the Ubuntu operating system to prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords. Add or update the following line in the "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" file or a configuration file in the /etc/pwquality.conf.d/ directory to contain the "dictcheck" parameter: dictcheck=1

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