cyberstrikeus 5.3.4 Ensure password hashing algorithm is SHA-512 (Scored)
Profile Applicability
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation
Description
The commands below change password encryption from md5 to sha512 (a much stronger hashing algorithm). All existing accounts will need to perform a password change to upgrade the stored hashes to the new algorithm.
Rationale
The SHA-512 algorithm provides much stronger hashing than MD5, thus providing additional protection to the system by increasing the level of effort for an attacker to successfully determine passwords.
Note that these change only apply to accounts configured on the local system.
Audit Procedure
Run the following commands and ensure the sha512 option is included in all results:
egrep '^password\s+\S+\s+pam_unix.so' /etc/pam.d/common-password
Expected Result
password sufficient pam_unix.so sha512
Remediation
Edit the /etc/pam.d/common-password file to include the sha512 option for pam_unix.so as shown:
password [success=1 default=ignore] pam_unix.so sha512
Note: If it is determined that the password algorithm being used is not SHA-512, once it is changed, it is recommended that all user ID's be immediately expired and forced to change their passwords on next login. To accomplish that, the following commands can be used:
cat /etc/passwd | awk -F: '( $3 >= 1000 && $1 != "nfsnobody" ) { print $1 }' | xargs -n 1 chage -d 0
Default Value
sha512
References
- CIS Controls: 16.14 - Encrypt/Hash All Authentication Files And Monitor Their Access
Profile
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation