The DNS implementation must enforce password complexity by the number of special characters used.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-34109	SRG-NET-000158-DNS-000097	SV-44562r1_rule		Medium

Description
The more complex the password is, the greater the number of possible combinations that need to be tested before the password is compromised. Password strength is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting guessing, dictionary attacks, as well as, brute-force attacks. Combinations of upper case, lower case, numbers, and special characters enhance the complexity of the password string. Without the use of a complex password, access to the DNS infrastructure is relatively easy for an attacker. Use of a complex password helps to increase the time and resources required to compromise the password.

Description

The more complex the password is, the greater the number of possible combinations that need to be tested before the password is compromised. Password strength is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting guessing, dictionary attacks, as well as, brute-force attacks. Combinations of upper case, lower case, numbers, and special characters enhance the complexity of the password string. Without the use of a complex password, access to the DNS infrastructure is relatively easy for an attacker. Use of a complex password helps to increase the time and resources required to compromise the password.

STIG	Date
Domain Name System (DNS) Security Requirements Guide	2012-10-24

Details

Check Text ( C-42069r1_chk )
Review the DNS account management configuration and settings to determine whether passwords contain the organization defined number of special characters. If the DNS does not require the password to have the organization defined number of special characters, this is a finding. The account management functions will be performed by the name server application if the capability exists. If the capability does not exist the underlying platform's account management system may be used.

Check Text ( C-42069r1_chk )

Review the DNS account management configuration and settings to determine whether passwords contain the organization defined number of special characters. If the DNS does not require the password to have the organization defined number of special characters, this is a finding.

The account management functions will be performed by the name server application if the capability exists. If the capability does not exist the underlying platform's account management system may be used.

Fix Text (F-38019r1_fix)
Configure the DNS implementation to enforce password complexity by the number of special characters used.