The Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system must be configured to use the shadow file to store only encrypted representations of passwords.

From Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000196

SV-86545r2_rule The Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system must be configured to use the shadow file to store only encrypted representations of passwords.

Vulnerability discussion

Passwords need to be protected at all times, and encryption is the standard method for protecting passwords. If passwords are not encrypted, they can be plainly read (i.e., clear text) and easily compromised. Passwords encrypted with a weak algorithm are no more protected than if they are kept in plain text.

Check content

Verify the system's shadow file is configured to store only encrypted representations of passwords. The strength of encryption that must be used to hash passwords for all accounts is SHA512. Check that the system is configured to create SHA512 hashed passwords with the following command: # grep -i encrypt /etc/login.defs ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512 If the "/etc/login.defs" configuration file does not exist or allows for password hashes other than SHA512 to be used, this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure the operating system to store only SHA512 encrypted representations of passwords. Add or update the following line in "/etc/login.defs": ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512

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