# Cis Cassandra40 V100 3.2

> Ensure that the default password is changed for the cassandra role

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-cassandra40-v100-3-2` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-cassandra40-v100-3-2`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-cassandra40-v100-3-2/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-cassandra40-v100-3-2

---


# 3.2 Ensure that the default password is changed for the cassandra role

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Cassandra
- Level 1 - Cassandra on Linux

## Description

The cassandra role has a default password which must be changed.

## Rationale

Failure to change the default password for the cassandra role may pose a risk to the database in the form of unauthorized access.

## Audit

Connect to Cassandra database to verify whether the cassandra role has default password.

```bash
cqlsh -u cassandra -p cassandra
```

If the connection is successful this is a finding.

## Remediation

Change the password for the casssandra role by issuing the following command:

```bash
cqlsh -u cassandra -p cassandra

alter role 'cassandra' with password '<NEWPASSWORD_HERE>';
```

Where `<NEWPASSWORD_HERE>` is replaced with the password of your choosing.

## Default Value

```
cassandra
```

## References

1. http://cassandra.apache.org/doc/latest/operating/security.html

## CIS Controls

- **v8 5.2** Use Unique Passwords
  - Use unique passwords for all enterprise assets. Best practice implementation includes, at a minimum, an 8-character password for accounts using MFA and a 14-character password for accounts not using MFA.
- **v7 4.4** Use Unique Passwords
  - Where multi-factor authentication is not supported (such as local administrator, root, or service accounts), accounts will use passwords that are unique to that system.

## Profile

- Level 1 - Cassandra | Automated
- Level 1 - Cassandra on Linux | Automated