The passwd command must be configured to prevent the use of dictionary words as passwords.

From Canonical Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000366

SV-90163r1_rule The passwd command must be configured to prevent the use of dictionary words as 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 "passwd" command uses the common-password settings. Check that the "passwd" command uses the common-password option with the following command: # grep common-password /etc/pam.d/passwd @ include common-password If the command does not return a line, or the line is commented out, this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure the Ubuntu operating system to prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords. Edit the file "/etc/pam.d/passwd" and add the following line: @ include common-password

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