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The Oracle Linux operating system must be configured so that when passwords are changed a minimum of four character classes must be changed.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-221674 OL07-00-010170 SV-221674r603260_rule Medium
Description
Use of a complex password helps to increase the time and resources required to compromise the password. Password complexity, or strength, is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting attempts at guessing and brute-force attacks. Password complexity is one factor of several that determines how long it takes to crack a password. The more complex the password, the greater the number of possible combinations that need to be tested before the password is compromised.
STIG Date
Oracle Linux 7 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2022-12-06

Details

Check Text ( C-23389r419094_chk )
The "minclass" option sets the minimum number of required classes of characters for the new password (digits, uppercase, lower-case, others).

Check for the value of the "minclass" option in "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" with the following command:

# grep minclass /etc/security/pwquality.conf
minclass = 4

If the value of "minclass" is set to less than "4", this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-23378r419095_fix)
Configure the operating system to require the change of at least four character classes when passwords are changed by setting the "minclass" option.

Add the following line to "/etc/security/pwquality.conf conf" (or modify the line to have the required value):

minclass = 4