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V-281169

CAT II (Medium)

RHEL 10 user account passwords for new users or password changes must have a 180-day maximum password lifetime restriction in /etc/login.defs.

Rule ID

SV-281169r1273590_rule

STIG

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V1R3

CCIs

CCI-004066

Discussion

Any password, no matter how complex, can eventually be cracked; therefore, passwords need to be changed periodically. If the operating system does not limit the lifetime of passwords and force users to change their passwords, there is the risk that the operating system passwords could be compromised. Setting the password maximum age ensures users are required to periodically change their passwords. Requiring shorter password lifetimes increases the risk of users writing down the password in a convenient location subject to physical compromise.

Check Content

Verify that RHEL 10 enforces a 180-day maximum password lifetime for new user accounts by running the following command:

$ sudo grep -i pass_max_days /etc/login.defs
PASS_MAX_DAYS 180

If the "PASS_MAX_DAYS" parameter value is greater than "180", or commented out, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure RHEL 10 to enforce a 180-day maximum password lifetime.

Add, or modify the following line in the "/etc/login.defs" file:

PASS_MAX_DAYS 180