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V-251504

CAT I (High)

The Ubuntu operating system must not allow accounts configured with blank or null passwords.

Rule ID

SV-251504r1082230_rule

STIG

Canonical Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V2R4

CCIs

CCI-000366

Discussion

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.

Check Content

Verify null passwords cannot be used. Run the following command: 

$ grep nullok /etc/pam.d/common-auth /etc/pam.d/common-password

If this produces any output, it may be possible to log on with accounts with empty passwords.

If null passwords can be used, this is a finding.

Fix Text

If an account is configured for password authentication but does not have an assigned password, it may be possible to log on to the account without authenticating.

Remove any instances of the "nullok" option in "/etc/pam.d/common-auth" and "/etc/pam.d/common-password".