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V-271629

CAT II (Medium)

OL 9 passwords for new users or password changes must have a 24-hour minimum password lifetime restriction in /etc/login.defs.

Rule ID

SV-271629r1091599_rule

STIG

Oracle Linux 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V1R5

CCIs

CCI-004066

Discussion

Enforcing a minimum password lifetime helps to prevent repeated password changes to defeat the password reuse or history enforcement requirement. If users are allowed to immediately and continually change their password, then the password could be repeatedly changed in a short period of time to defeat the organization's policy regarding password reuse. Setting the minimum password age protects against users cycling back to a favorite password after satisfying the password reuse requirement.

Check Content

Verify that OL 9 enforces a 24-hour minimum password lifetime for new user accounts.

Check for the value of "PASS_MIN_DAYS" in "/etc/login.defs" with the following command: 

$ grep -i pass_min_days /etc/login.defs
PASS_MIN_DAYS 1

If the "PASS_MIN_DAYS" parameter value is not "1" or greater, or is commented out, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure OL 9 to enforce 24 hours as the minimum password lifetime.

Add the following line in "/etc/login.defs" (or modify the line to have the required value):

PASS_MIN_DAYS 1