cyberstrikeus 5.3.1.3 Ensure password expiration warning days is 7 or more (Automated)
Description
The PASS_WARN_AGE parameter in /etc/login.defs allows an administrator to notify users that their password will expire in a defined number of days. It is recommended that the PASS_WARN_AGE parameter be set to 7 or more days.
Rationale
Providing an advance warning that a password will be expiring gives users time to think of a secure password. Users caught unaware may choose a simple password or write it down where it may be discovered.
Audit Procedure
Run the following command and verify PASS_WARN_AGE conforms to site policy (No less than 7 days):
# grep PASS_WARN_AGE /etc/login.defs
PASS_WARN_AGE 7
Verify all users with a password have their number of days of warning before password expires set to 7 or more:
Run the following command and Review list of users and PASS_WARN_AGE to verify that all users' PASS_WARN_AGE conforms to site policy (No less than 7 days):
# grep -E '^[^:]+:[^\!*]' /etc/shadow | cut -d: -f1,6
<user>:<PASS_WARN_AGE>
Expected Result
PASS_WARN_AGE should be 7 or more in /etc/login.defs and for all users with a password in /etc/shadow.
Remediation
Set the PASS_WARN_AGE parameter to 7 in /etc/login.defs:
PASS_WARN_AGE 7
Modify user parameters for all users with a password set to match:
# chage --warndays 7 <user>
Additional Information:
You can also check this setting in /etc/shadow directly. The 6th field should be 7 or more for all users with a password.
CIS Controls
| Controls Version | Control | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | x | x | x |
| 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. | x | x |
Profile
- Level 1 - Server