Information
The operating system must be configured so that when passwords are changed or new passwords are established, pwquality must be used.
GROUP ID: V-270705
SV-270705r1066604
Use of a complex password helps to increase the time and resources required to compromise the password. Password complexity, or strength, is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting attempts at guessing and brute-force attacks. "pwquality" enforces complex password construction configuration and has the ability to limit brute-force attacks on the system.
Solution
Configure the operating system to use "pwquality" to enforce password complexity rules.
Add or modify the following line in the "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" file:
enforcing = 1
Add or modify the following line in the "/etc/pam.d/common-password" file:
password requisite pam_pwquality.so retry=3
Note: The value of "retry" should be between "1" and "3".