# Cis Ubuntu2004 V300 5 3 3 3 2

> Ensure password history is enforced for the root user

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu2004-v300-5-3-3-3-2` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu2004-v300-5-3-3-3-2`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu2004-v300-5-3-3-3-2/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- 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-ubuntu2004-v300-5-3-3-3-2

---


# 5.3.3.3.2 Ensure password history is enforced for the root user (Automated)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

If the `pwhistory enforce_for_root` option is enabled, the module will enforce password history for the root user as well.

## Rationale

Requiring users not to reuse their passwords make it less likely that an attacker will be able to guess the password or use a compromised password.

Note: These change only apply to accounts configured on the local system.

## Audit Procedure

### Command Line

Run the following command to verify that the `enforce_for_root` argument is exists on the `pwhistory` line in `/etc/pam.d/common-password`:

```bash
# grep -Psi -- '^\h*password\h+[^#\n\r]+\h+pam_pwhistory\.so\h+([^#\n\r]+\h+)?enforce_for_root\b' /etc/pam.d/common-password
```

## Expected Result

Output should be similar to:

```
password   requisite   pam_pwhistory.so remember=24 enforce_for_root use_authtok
```

## Remediation

### Command Line

Run the following command:

```bash
# awk '/Password-Type:/{ f = 1;next } /-Type:/{ f = 0 } f {if (/pam_pwhistory\.so/) print FILENAME}' /usr/share/pam-configs/*
```

Edit any returned files and add the `enforce_for_root` argument to the `pam_pwhistory` line in the `Password` section:

Example File:

```
Name: pwhistory password history checking
Default: yes
Priority: 1024
Password-Type: Primary
Password:
   requisite   pam_pwhistory.so remember=24 enforce_for_root use_authtok # <- **ensure line includes enforce_for_root**
```

Run the following command to update the files in the `/etc/pam.d/` directory:

```bash
# pam-auth-update --enable <MODIFIED_PROFILE_NAME>
```

Example:

```bash
# pam-auth-update --enable pwhistory
```

## Default Value

disabled

## References

1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: IA-5

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                  | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ------------------------ | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 5.2 Use Unique Passwords | \*   | \*   | \*   |
| v7               | 4.4 Use Unique Passwords |      | \*   | \*   |

## MITRE ATT&CK Mappings

| Techniques / Sub-techniques                                                        | Tactics | Mitigations |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- | ----------- |
| T1110, T1110.001, T1110.002, T1110.003, T1178.001, T1178.002, T1178.003, T1178.004 | TA0006  | M1027       |