5.5.6 Ensure user and group account administration utilities are configured to store only encrypted representations of passwords

Information

The operating system must be configured so that user and group account administration utilities are configured to store only encrypted representations of passwords.

Rationale:

Passwords need to be protected at all times, and encryption is the standard method for protecting passwords. If passwords are not encrypted, they can be plainly read (i.e., clear text) and easily compromised. Passwords encrypted with a weak algorithm are no more protected than if they are kept in plain text.

Solution

Configure the operating system to store only SHA512 encrypted representations of passwords.
Add or update the following line in '/etc/libuser.conf' in the [defaults] section:

crypt_style = sha512

Additional Information:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version 3, Release: 4 Benchmark Date: 23 Jul 2021

Vul ID: V-204417

Rule ID: SV-204417r603261_rule

STIG ID: RHEL-07-010220

Severity: CAT II

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3636

Item Details

Category: IDENTIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION

References: 800-53|IA-5(1)(c), CCI|CCI-000196, CSCv7|16.4, Rule-ID|SV-204417r603261_rule, STIG-ID|RHEL-07-010220

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 2850f7251fb3d80f842c76b98967ded0934a737d2a70e27b592ff3fe5e5820a0