Passwords for new users must have a 60-day maximum password lifetime restriction.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-214960	UBTU-16-010220	SV-214960r610931_rule		Medium

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

STIG	Date
Canonical Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide	2020-12-09

Details

Check Text ( C-16159r284748_chk )
Verify that the Ubuntu operating system enforces a 60-day maximum password lifetime for new user accounts by running the following command: # grep -i pass_max_days /etc/login.defs PASS_MAX_DAYS 60 If the "PASS_MAX_DAYS" parameter value is less than "60", or commented out, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-16157r284749_fix)
Configure the Ubuntu operating system to enforce a 60-day maximum password lifetime. Add, or modify the following line in the "/etc/login.defs" file: PASS_MAX_DAYS 60