cyberstrikeus 5.4.1.1 Ensure password expiration is 365 days or less (Scored)
Profile Applicability
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation
Description
The PASS_MAX_DAYS parameter in /etc/login.defs allows an administrator to force passwords to expire once they reach a defined age. It is recommended that the PASS_MAX_DAYS parameter be set to less than or equal to 365 days.
Rationale
The window of opportunity for an attacker to leverage compromised credentials or successfully compromise credentials via an online brute force attack is limited by the age of the password. Therefore, reducing the maximum age of a password also reduces an attacker's window of opportunity.
Audit Procedure
Run the following command and verify PASS_MAX_DAYS conforms to site policy (no more than 365 days):
grep PASS_MAX_DAYS /etc/login.defs
Verify all users with a password maximum days between password change conforms to site policy (no more than 365 days):
egrep ^[^:]+:[^\!*] /etc/shadow | cut -d: -f1
chage --list <user>
Expected Result
PASS_MAX_DAYS 90
Maximum number of days between password change : 90
Remediation
Set the PASS_MAX_DAYS parameter to conform to site policy in /etc/login.defs:
PASS_MAX_DAYS 90
Modify user parameters for all users with a password set to match:
chage --maxdays 90 <user>
Default Value
PASS_MAX_DAYS 99999
References
- CIS Controls: 16 - Account Monitoring and Control
Profile
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation