cyberstrikeus 5.4.1.2 Ensure minimum days between password changes is 7 or more (Scored)
Profile Applicability
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation
Description
The PASS_MIN_DAYS parameter in /etc/login.defs allows an administrator to prevent users from changing their password until a minimum number of days have passed since the last time the user changed their password. It is recommended that PASS_MIN_DAYS parameter be set to 7 or more days.
Rationale
By restricting the frequency of password changes, an administrator can prevent users from repeatedly changing their password in an attempt to circumvent password reuse controls.
Audit Procedure
Run the following command and verify PASS_MIN_DAYS is 7 or more:
grep PASS_MIN_DAYS /etc/login.defs
Verify all users with a password have their minimum days between password change set to 7 or more:
egrep ^[^:]+:[^\!*] /etc/shadow | cut -d: -f1
chage --list <user>
Expected Result
PASS_MIN_DAYS 7
Minimum number of days between password change : 7
Remediation
Set the PASS_MIN_DAYS parameter to 7 in /etc/login.defs:
PASS_MIN_DAYS 7
Modify user parameters for all users with a password set to match:
chage --mindays 7 <user>
Default Value
PASS_MIN_DAYS 0
References
- CIS Controls: 16 - Account Monitoring and Control
Profile
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation