# Cis GCP Cos 5.3.1.3

> Ensure password expiration warning days is 7 or more

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-5-3-1-3` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-5-3-1-3`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-5-3-1-3/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-5-3-1-3

---


# 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):

```bash
# 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):

```bash
# 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:

```bash
# 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