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-42816r3_rule		Medium

Description
The DoD standard for authentication is DoD-approved PKI certificates. Normally, with PKI authentication, the interaction with the user for authentication will be handled by a software component separate from the DBMS, such as ActivIdentity ActivClient. However, in cases where the DBMS controls the interaction, this requirement applies. To prevent the compromise of authentication information such as passwords and PINs during the authentication process, the feedback from the system must not provide any information that would allow an unauthorized user to compromise the authentication mechanism. Obfuscation of user-provided authentication secrets when typed into the system is a method used in addressing this risk. Displaying asterisks when a user types in a password or a smart card PIN is an example of obscuring feedback of authentication secrets.

Description

The DoD standard for authentication is DoD-approved PKI certificates. Normally, with PKI authentication, the interaction with the user for authentication will be handled by a software component separate from the DBMS, such as ActivIdentity ActivClient. However, in cases where the DBMS controls the interaction, this requirement applies. To prevent the compromise of authentication information such as passwords and PINs during the authentication process, the feedback from the system must not provide any information that would allow an unauthorized user to compromise the authentication mechanism. Obfuscation of user-provided authentication secrets when typed into the system is a method used in addressing this risk. Displaying asterisks when a user types in a password or a smart card PIN is an example of obscuring feedback of authentication secrets.

STIG	Date
Database Security Requirements Guide	2015-12-21

Details

Check Text ( C-40916r3_chk )
If all interaction with the user for purposes of authentication is handled by a software component separate from the DBMS, this is not a finding. If any application, tool or feature associated with the DBMS/database displays any authentication secrets (to include PINs and passwords) during - or after - the authentication process, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-36393r3_fix)
Modify and configure each non-compliant application, tool, or feature associated with the DBMS/database so that it does not display authentication secrets.