# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 6.2.1 Ensure password fields are not empty

> Verify all accounts in /etc/shadow have a password or are locked

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-6-2-1-ensure-password-fields-are-not-em` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-6-2-1-ensure-password-fields-are-not-em`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-6-2-1-ensure-password-fields-are-not-em/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-6-2-1-ensure-password-fields-are-not-em

---


# 6.2.1 Ensure password fields are not empty (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

An account with an empty password field means that anybody may log in as that user without providing a password.

## Rationale

All accounts must have passwords or be locked to prevent the account from being used by an unauthorized user.

## Audit Procedure

Run the following command and verify that no output is returned:

```bash
cat /etc/shadow | awk -F: '($2 == "" ) { print $1 " does not have a password "}'
```

## Expected Result

No output should be returned.

## Remediation

If any accounts in the `/etc/shadow` file do not have a password, run the following command to lock the account until it can be determined why it does not have a password:

```bash
passwd -l <username>
```

Also, check to see if the account is logged in and investigate what it is being used for to determine if it needs to be forced off.

## Default Value

Not applicable.

## References

None

## CIS Controls

16 Account Monitoring and Control - Account Monitoring and Control

## Profile

- Level 1