5.5.1.7 Ensure password expiration is 60 Day maximum for new users

Information

The operating system must be configured so that passwords for new users are restricted to a 60-day maximum lifetime.

Rationale:

Any password, no matter how complex, can eventually be cracked. Therefore, passwords need to be changed periodically. If the operating system does not limit the lifetime of passwords and force users to change their passwords, there is the risk that the operating system passwords could be compromised.

Solution

Configure the operating system to enforce a 60-day maximum password lifetime restriction.
Add the following line in /etc/login.defs (or modify the line to have the required value):

PASS_MAX_DAYS 60

Additional Information:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Security Technical Implementation Guide

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

Vul ID: V-204420

Rule ID: SV-204420r603261_rule

STIG ID: RHEL-07-010250

Severity: CAT II

See Also

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

Item Details

Category: IDENTIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION

References: 800-53|IA-5(1)(d), CCI|CCI-000199, CSCv7|4.4, Rule-ID|SV-204420r603261_rule, STIG-ID|RHEL-07-010250

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 6a52eef48b983aaa6f8a084ec71600f3aaa87c8f5a120b0f015986a9bbb66bdf