Passwords for new users must be restricted to a 60-day maximum lifetime.

From Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000199

SV-86553r1_rule Passwords for new users must be 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

Verify the operating system enforces a 60-day maximum password lifetime restriction for new user accounts. Check for the value of "PASS_MAX_DAYS" in "/etc/login.defs" with the following command: # grep -i pass_max_days /etc/login.defs PASS_MAX_DAYS 60 If the "PASS_MAX_DAYS" parameter value is not 60 or less, or is commented out, this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure the operating system to enforce a 60-day maximum password lifetime restriction. Add the following line in "/etc/login.defs" (or modify the line to have the required value): PASS_MAX_DAYS 60

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