Cis AWS Foundations 2.9

Ensure IAM password policy prevents password reuse

Description

IAM password policies can prevent the reuse of passwords by the same user. It is recommended that the password policy be configured to prevent password reuse.

Rationale

Preventing password reuse increases account resilience against brute force and credential reuse attacks.

Impact

Allowing password reuse increases the risk of account compromise, particularly if previously exposed or weak passwords are reused.

Audit Procedure

Using AWS Console

1. Sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the IAM console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/iam.
2. Click on Account Settings on the left Pane.
3. Ensure Prevent password reuse is checked.
4. Ensure Remember XX password(s) is set appropriately (e.g., 24 or greater).

Using AWS CLI

1. Run the following command:

aws iam get-account-password-policy

2. Ensure the output includes:

"PasswordReusePrevention": 24

Expected Result

The IAM password policy has PasswordReusePrevention set to 24 or greater.

Remediation

Using AWS Console

1. Login to AWS Console (with appropriate permissions to View Identity Access Management Account Settings).
2. Go to IAM Service.
3. Select Account Settings on the left Pane.
4. Check Prevent password reuse.
5. Set Remember XX password(s) to 24 or greater.

Using AWS CLI

1. Run the following command:

aws iam update-account-password-policy --password-reuse-prevention 24

Note: All commands starting with "aws iam update-account-password-policy" can be combined into a single command.

Default Value

By default, the AWS IAM password policy does not prevent password reuse. No password history is maintained unless explicitly configured.

References

1. CCE-78908-1
2. https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/id_credentials_passwords_account-policy.html
3. https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/best-practices.html#configure-strong-password-policy

CIS Controls

MITRE ATT&CK Mappings

Profile

Level 1 | Automated