cyberstrikeus 5.4.1.3 Ensure password expiration warning days is 7 or more (Scored)
Profile Applicability
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation
Description
The PASS_WARN_AGE parameter in /etc/login.defs allows an administrator to notify users that their password will expire in a defined number of days. It is recommended that the PASS_WARN_AGE parameter be set to 7 or more days.
Rationale
Providing an advance warning that a password will be expiring gives users time to think of a secure password. Users caught unaware may choose a simple password or write it down where it may be discovered.
Audit Procedure
Run the following command and verify PASS_WARN_AGE is 7 or more:
grep PASS_WARN_AGE /etc/login.defs
Verify all users with a password have their number of days of warning before password expires set to 7 or more:
egrep ^[^:]+:[^\!*] /etc/shadow | cut -d: -f1
chage --list <user>
Expected Result
PASS_WARN_AGE 7
Number of days of warning before password expires : 7
Remediation
Set the PASS_WARN_AGE parameter to 7 in /etc/login.defs:
PASS_WARN_AGE 7
Modify user parameters for all users with a password set to match:
chage --warndays 7 <user>
Default Value
PASS_WARN_AGE 7
References
- CIS Controls: 16 - Account Monitoring and Control
Profile
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation