The system must use a FIPS 140-2 approved cryptographic hashing algorithm for generating account password hashes.

From AIX 6.1 SECURITY TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE

Associated with IA controls: IAIA-2, DCNR-1, IAIA-1

Associated with: CCI-000803

SV-38938r1_rule The system must use a FIPS 140-2 approved cryptographic hashing algorithm for generating account password hashes.

Vulnerability discussion

Systems must employ cryptographic hashes for passwords using the SHA-2 family of algorithms or FIPS 140-2 approved successors. The use of unapproved algorithms may result in weak password hashes that are more vulnerable to compromise.

Check content

Determine if the system creates password hashes using a FIPS 140-2 approved cryptographic hashing algorithm by verifying the value of pwd_algorithm in /etc/security/login.cfg. # grep pwd_algorithm /etc/security/login.cfg If the system is not configured to generate password hashes using a FIPS 140-2 approved algorithm, such as SHA256 or a successor, this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure the system to use a FIPS 140-2 approved cryptographic hash algorithm for creating password hashes. # chsec -f /etc/security/login.cfg -s usw -a pwd_algorithm=ssha256

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