# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 5.4.1.4 Ensure inactive password lock is 30 days or less

> Verify inactive password lock is set to 30 days or less to disable dormant accounts

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-5-4-1-4-ensure-inactive-password-lock-i` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-5-4-1-4-ensure-inactive-password-lock-i`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-5-4-1-4-ensure-inactive-password-lock-i/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-5-4-1-4-ensure-inactive-password-lock-i

---


# 5.4.1.4 Ensure inactive password lock is 30 days or less (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

User accounts that have been inactive for over a given period of time can be automatically disabled. It is recommended that accounts that are inactive for 30 days after password expiration be disabled.

## Rationale

Inactive accounts pose a threat to system security since the users are not logging in to notice failed login attempts or other anomalies.

## Audit Procedure

Run the following command and verify `INACTIVE` is 30 or less:

```bash
useradd -D | grep INACTIVE
```

Verify all users with a password have Password inactive no more than 30 days after password expires:

```bash
egrep ^[^:]+:[^\!*] /etc/shadow | cut -d: -f1
chage --list <user>
```

## Expected Result

```
INACTIVE=30
Password inactive                                      : <date>
```

## Remediation

Run the following command to set the default password inactivity period to 30 days:

```bash
useradd -D -f 30
```

Modify user parameters for all users with a password set to match:

```bash
chage --inactive 30 <user>
```

## Default Value

INACTIVE=-1 (disabled)

## References

- CIS Controls: 16 - Account Monitoring and Control

## Profile

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation