The DBMS must obscure feedback of authentication information during the authentication process to protect the information from possible exploitation/use by unauthorized individuals.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-32479	SRG-APP-000178-DB-000083	SV-42816r1_rule		High

Description
To prevent the compromise of authentication information, such as passwords, during the authentication process, the feedback from the information system shall not provide any information that would allow an unauthorized user to compromise the authentication mechanism. Obfuscation of user provided information when typed into the system is a method used in addressing this risk. For example, displaying asterisks when a user types in a password, is an example of obscuring feedback of authentication information. Database applications may allow for entry of the account name and password as a visible parameter of the application execution command. This practice should be prohibited and disabled to prevent shoulder surfing.

Description

To prevent the compromise of authentication information, such as passwords, during the authentication process, the feedback from the information system shall not provide any information that would allow an unauthorized user to compromise the authentication mechanism. Obfuscation of user provided information when typed into the system is a method used in addressing this risk. For example, displaying asterisks when a user types in a password, is an example of obscuring feedback of authentication information. Database applications may allow for entry of the account name and password as a visible parameter of the application execution command. This practice should be prohibited and disabled to prevent shoulder surfing.

STIG	Date
Database Security Requirements Guide	2012-07-02

Details

Check Text ( C-40916r1_chk )
Interview the DBA to determine if any applications that access the database (i.e., sqlcmd, sqlplus, etc.) allow for entry of the account name and password on the command line. If any do, determine whether these applications obfuscate authentication data. If they do not, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-36393r1_fix)
Configure or modify applications to prohibit display of passwords in clear text on the command line.