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OL 8 must encrypt all stored passwords with a FIPS 140-2 approved cryptographic hashing algorithm.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-248533 OL08-00-010110 SV-248533r877397_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. Unapproved mechanisms that are used for authentication to the cryptographic module are not verified and therefore cannot be relied on to provide confidentiality or integrity, and DoD data may be compromised. FIPS 140-2 is the current standard for validating that mechanisms used to access cryptographic modules use authentication that meets DoD requirements.
STIG Date
Oracle Linux 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2022-12-06

Details

Check Text ( C-51967r779163_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:

$ sudo cat /etc/login.defs | grep -i crypt

ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512

If "ENCRYPT_METHOD" does not equal SHA512 or greater, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-51921r779164_fix)
Configure OL 8 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