UBTU-20-010404 - The Ubuntu operating system must encrypt all stored passwords with a FIPS 140-2 approved cryptographic hashing algorithm.

Information

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.

Solution

Configure the Ubuntu operating system to encrypt all stored passwords.

Edit/modify the following line in the '/etc/login.defs' file and set 'ENCRYPT_METHOD' to SHA512:

ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_CAN_Ubuntu_20-04_LTS_V1R1_STIG.zip

Item Details

References: CAT|II, CCI|CCI-000803, Rule-ID|SV-238325r654150_rule, STIG-ID|UBTU-20-010404, Vuln-ID|V-238325

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 9cd94ea166a8a29e74f8760256c11cc78c23be966a23b961004f08960c2f2461