# Cis GCP Cos 6.2.1

> Ensure password fields are not empty

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-6-2-1` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-6-2-1`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-cos-6-2-1/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-6-2-1

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# 6.2.1 Ensure password fields are not empty (Automated)

## Description

An account with an empty password field means that anybody may log in as that user without providing a password.

## Rationale

All accounts must have passwords or be locked to prevent the account from being used by an unauthorized user.

## Audit Procedure

Run the following command and verify that no output is returned:

```bash
# awk -F: '($2 == "" ) { print $1 " does not have a password "}' /etc/shadow
```

## Expected Result

No output should be returned.

## Remediation

If any accounts in the `/etc/shadow` file do not have a password, run the following command to lock the account until it can be determined why it does not have a password:

```bash
# passwd -l <username>
```

Also, check to see if the account is logged in and investigate what it is being used for to determine if it needs to be forced off.

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                  | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ------------------------ | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 5.2 Use Unique Passwords | x    | x    | x    |
| v7               | 4.4 Use Unique Passwords | x    | x    | x    |

## Profile

- Level 1 - Server