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-238325	UBTU-20-010404	SV-238325r654150_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 20.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide	2021-03-23

Details

Check Text ( C-41535r654148_chk )
Verify that the shadow password suite configuration is set to encrypt passwords 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 encrypt_method ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512 If "ENCRYPT_METHOD" does not equal SHA512 or greater, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-41494r654149_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