Information
The operating system must be configured so that passwords for new users are restricted to a 60-day maximum lifetime.
Rationale:
Any password, no matter how complex, can eventually be cracked. Therefore, passwords need to be changed periodically. If the operating system does not limit the lifetime of passwords and force users to change their passwords, there is the risk that the operating system passwords could be compromised.
Solution
Configure the operating system to enforce a 60-day maximum password lifetime restriction.
Add the following line in /etc/login.defs (or modify the line to have the required value):
PASS_MAX_DAYS 60
Notes:
This Benchmark Recommendation maps to:
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Security Technical Implementation Guide:
Version 2, Release: 3 Benchmark Date: 26 Apr 2019
Vul ID: V-71929
Rule ID: SV-86553r2_rule
STIG ID: RHEL-07-010250
Severity: CAT II