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


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-214965 UBTU-16-010270 SV-214965r610931_rule Medium
Description
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.
STIG Date
Canonical Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide 2020-12-09

Details

Check Text ( C-16164r284763_chk )
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 (F-16162r284764_fix)
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