5.3.3 Ensure password reuse is limited

Information

The /etc/security/opasswd file stores the users' old passwords and can be checked to ensure that users are not recycling recent passwords.

Note:

- Additional module options may be set, recommendation only covers those listed here.
- This setting only applies to local accounts.
- This option is configured with the remember=

n

module option in /etc/pam.d/common-password

Forcing users not to reuse their past passwords make it less likely that an attacker will be able to guess the password.

Solution

Run the following command:

# pam-config -a --pwhistory --pwhistory-remember=5

- OR -

Edit the file /etc/pam.d/common-password to include the remember= option and conform to site policy as shown:

password required pam_pwhistory.so remember=5

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/8658

Item Details

Category: IDENTIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION

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

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: b7d3e70358bf29fcf2b4eac3864e6531653f38fa8cd2aaba4b0563b8663ed18d