# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 5.4.1.3 Ensure password expiration warning days is 7 or more

> Verify PASS_WARN_AGE is set to 7 or more in /etc/login.defs for password expiry warnings

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-5-4-1-3-ensure-password-expiration-warn` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-5-4-1-3-ensure-password-expiration-warn`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-5-4-1-3-ensure-password-expiration-warn/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION)
- 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-5-4-1-3-ensure-password-expiration-warn

---


# 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:

```bash
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:

```bash
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:

```bash
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