The Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system must be configured so that existing passwords are restricted to a 60-day maximum lifetime.

From Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000199

SV-86555r2_rule The Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system must be configured so that existing passwords are restricted to a 60-day maximum lifetime.

Vulnerability discussion

Any password, no matter how complex, can eventually be cracked. Therefore, passwords need to be changed periodically. If the operating system does not limit the lifetime of passwords and force users to change their passwords, there is the risk that the operating system passwords could be compromised.

Check content

Check whether the maximum time period for existing passwords is restricted to 60 days. # awk -F: '$4 < 1 {print $1 " " $5}' /etc/shadow If any results are returned that are not associated with a system account, this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure non-compliant accounts to enforce a 60-day maximum password lifetime restriction. # chage -M 60 [user]

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