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The Ubuntu operating system must prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-219184 UBTU-18-010113 SV-219184r610963_rule Medium
Description
If the Ubuntu operating system allows the user to select passwords based on dictionary words, then this increases the chances of password compromise by increasing the opportunity for successful guesses and brute-force attacks.
STIG Date
Canonical Ubuntu 18.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide 2021-11-29

Details

Check Text ( C-20909r304880_chk )
Verify that the Ubuntu operating system uses the cracklib library to prevent the use of dictionary words with the following command:

# grep dictcheck /etc/security/pwquality.conf

dictcheck=1

If the "dictcheck" parameter is not set to "1", or is commented out, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-20908r304881_fix)
Configure the Ubuntu operating system to prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords.

Add or update the following line in the "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" file to include the "dictcheck=1" parameter:

dictcheck=1