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RHEL 8 must not allow blank or null passwords in the system-auth file.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-244540 RHEL-08-020331 SV-244540r743869_rule High
Description
If an account has an empty password, anyone could log on and run commands with the privileges of that account. Accounts with empty passwords should never be used in operational environments.
STIG Date
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2023-06-02

Details

Check Text ( C-47815r743867_chk )
To verify that null passwords cannot be used, run the following command:

$ sudo grep -i nullok /etc/pam.d/system-auth

If output is produced, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-47772r743868_fix)
Remove any instances of the "nullok" option in the "/etc/pam.d/system-auth" file to prevent logons with empty passwords.

Note: Manual changes to the listed file may be overwritten by the "authselect" program.