ALMA-09-037420 - AlmaLinux OS 9 must be configured so that the system's shadow file is configured to store only encrypted representations of passwords.

Information

Passwords must 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.

The system must use a strong hashing algorithm to store the password.

Solution

Configure AlmaLinux OS 9 to use the SHA-512 algorithm for password hashing.

Add or update the following line in the "/etc/login.defs" file:

ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_CL_AlmaLinux_OS_9_V1R1_STIG.zip

Item Details

Category: IDENTIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION

References: 800-53|IA-5(1)(d), CAT|I, CCI|CCI-004062, Rule-ID|SV-269400r1050283_rule, STIG-ID|ALMA-09-037420, Vuln-ID|V-269400

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 14de75bc84c925ee0659e9cbb7cbbe889ee31522c2e9e4142c808c3252757742