Password Expiration Enforced

Misconfigured password expiration settings in Microsoft Entra ID that require users to change passwords at regular intervals can inadvertently introduce security vulnerabilities. Traditional expiration policies use the outdated assumption that users frequently update compromised credentials. In reality, frequent password changes often lead to predictable patterns or slight variations of previous passwords, reducing overall complexity and making accounts more vulnerable to brute-force and dictionary attacks.

Forced password changes can increase the risk of insecure storage, as users may write passwords down, store them in unapproved locations, or create easily guessable patterns to remember them. This behavior undermines security and can lead to unauthorized access. By mandating password expiration, organizations may unintentionally encourage users to bypass best practices, ultimately expanding the attack surface.

The MS.AAD.6.1v1 policy in CISA's "M365 Secure Configuration Baseline for Microsoft Entra ID," mandated under BOD 25-01, states that "User passwords SHALL NOT expire." Non-compliance may result in regulatory and operational consequences, particularly for CISA-governed federal agencies and contractors. In today's security landscape, enforcing password expiration do not align with identity-centric security principles, which prioritize continuous monitoring, conditional access, and threat-based controls over rigid password lifecycle policies. Modern guidance from NIST SP 800-63 also advises against arbitrary password rotation, noting that forced periodic changes without evidence of compromise can reduce password randomness and weaken overall security. This Indicator of Exposure detects domains that enable password expiration after a certain period.

Enable the setting "Set passwords to never expire" in Microsoft Entra ID to remove the password expiration policy.

Treat passwords as static secrets and emphasize secure initial setup, strong password creation guidelines, and reliable account recovery mechanisms. Focus on detecting anomalous behavior and unauthorized access attempts rather than enforcing time-based password changes.

Instead of forcing regular password changes, focus on using methods like multi-factor authentication (MFA), Conditional Access Policies, or passwordless options like FIDO2 keys. These methods boost security by reducing reliance on passwords and making sure only verified users can access your accounts no matter how old the password is.

Finally, following CISA's recommendations helps you reduce technical debt and makes your identity system stronger and more reliable.

Name: Password Expiration Enforced

Codename: PASSWORD-EXPIRATION-ENFORCED

Severity: Low

Type: Microsoft Entra ID Indicator of Exposure