5.2.5 Ensure Complex Password Must Contain Special Character Is Configured

Information

Complex passwords contain one character from each of the following classes: English uppercase letters, English lowercase letters, Westernized Arabic numerals, and non-alphanumeric characters. Ensure that a special character is part of the password policy on the computer.

The more complex a password, the more resistant it will be against persons seeking unauthorized access to a system.

Solution

Run the following command to set passwords to require at least one special character:

% /usr/bin/sudo /usr/bin/pwpolicy -n /Local/Default -setglobalpolicy -setaccountpolicies "requiresSymbol=<value>=1>"

Impact:

Password policy should be in effect to reduce the risk of exposed services being compromised easily through dictionary attacks or other social engineering attempts.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/17466

Item Details

Category: IDENTIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION

References: 800-53|IA-5(1), CSCv7|4.4

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 3468e1c73e20fb2684ac6515356a125a0faf44aea61b3f91f6a3c3c86c86ee70