UCF STIG Viewer Logo

The Ubuntu operating system must encrypt all stored passwords with a FIPS 140-2 approved cryptographic hashing algorithm.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-219176 UBTU-18-010104 SV-219176r610963_rule Medium
Description
Passwords need to be protected at all times, and encryption is the standard method for protecting passwords. If passwords are not encrypted, they can be plainly read (i.e., clear text) and easily compromised.
STIG Date
Canonical Ubuntu 18.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide 2020-12-09

Details

Check Text ( C-20901r304856_chk )
Verify that the shadow password suite configuration is set to encrypt password with a FIPS 140-2 approved cryptographic hashing algorithm.

Check the hashing algorithm that is being used to hash passwords with the following command:

# cat /etc/login.defs | grep -i crypt

ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512

If "ENCRYPT_METHOD" does not equal SHA512 or greater, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-20900r304857_fix)
Configure the Ubuntu operating system to encrypt all stored passwords.

Edit/Modify the following line in the "/etc/login.defs" file and set "ENCRYPT_METHOD" to SHA512.

ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512