1.8.1 Enable AES Password Encryption

Information

You can enable strong, reversible 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) password encryption, also known as type-6 encryption. To start using type-6 encryption, you must enable the AES password encryption feature and configure a master encryption key, which is used to encrypt and decrypt passwords. After you enable AES password encryption and configure a master key, all existing and newly created clear-text passwords for supported applications are stored in type-6 encrypted format

Encryption of passwords is used to protect it from being sent over the wire cleartext or being accidentally exposed when sharing device configurations with third parties. By applying encryption you are making it more difficult for an adversary to gain access to your device/network.

Solution

Define a password encryption key

IOSXR#key config-key password-encryption

New password Requirements: Min-length 6, Max-length 64
Characters restricted to [A-Z][a-z][0-9]
Enter new key :
Enter confirm key :
Master key operation is started in background

Enable aes config password encryption

/* Enable Type 6 password encryption */
IOSXR# configure
IOSXR(config)#password6 encryption aes
IOSXR(config)#commit

Impact:

Make sure to store your master in a secure place and test your emergency backup/restore procedures. Without the masterkey all passwords of supported type6 applications will need to be re-entered manually upon config restore from backup.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/10473

Item Details

Category: IDENTIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION

References: 800-53|IA-5(1)(c)

Plugin: Cisco

Control ID: 418bb141f22719052473a0b50790a785c368d4a15d219ba0f3175ae78372ca83