# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 5.3.3 Ensure password reuse is limited

> Verify PAM is configured to remember at least 5 previous passwords to prevent reuse

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-5-3-3-ensure-password-reuse-is-limited` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-5-3-3-ensure-password-reuse-is-limited`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-5-3-3-ensure-password-reuse-is-limited/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-ubuntu-14-04-lts-5-3-3-ensure-password-reuse-is-limited

---


# 5.3.3 Ensure password reuse is limited (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

The `/etc/security/opasswd` file stores the users' old passwords and can be checked to ensure that users are not recycling recent passwords.

## Rationale

Forcing users not to reuse their past 5 passwords make it less likely that an attacker will be able to guess the password.

Note that these change only apply to accounts configured on the local system.

## Audit Procedure

Run the following commands and ensure the `remember` option is '5' or more and included in all results:

```bash
egrep '^password\s+required\s+pam_pwhistory.so' /etc/pam.d/common-password
```

## Expected Result

```
password required pam_pwhistory.so remember=5
```

## Remediation

Edit the `/etc/pam.d/common-password` file to include the `remember` option and conform to site policy as shown:

```
password required pam_pwhistory.so remember=5
```

## Default Value

No password reuse limit configured by default.

## References

- CIS Controls: 16 - Account Monitoring and Control

## Profile

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation