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The system must require at least eight characters be changed between the old and new passwords during a password change.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-216326 SOL-11.1-040060 SV-216326r986399_rule Medium
Description
To ensure password changes are effective in their goals, the system must ensure old and new passwords have significant differences. Without significant changes, new passwords may be easily guessed based on the value of a previously compromised password.
STIG Date
Solaris 11 SPARC Security Technical Implementation Guide 2024-05-30

Details

Check Text ( C-17562r371066_chk )
Check /etc/default/passwd to verify the MINDIFF setting.

# grep ^MINDIFF /etc/default/passwd

If the setting is not present, or is less than 8, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-17560r371067_fix)
The root role is required.

# pfedit /etc/default/passwd

Search for MINDIFF. Change the line to read:

MINDIFF=8