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V-217128

CAT II (Medium)

The SUSE operating system must be configured to create or update passwords with a minimum lifetime of 24 hours (one day).

Rule ID

SV-217128r1015215_rule

STIG

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V3R5

CCIs

CCI-000198 CCI-004066

Discussion

Enforcing a minimum password lifetime helps prevent repeated password changes to defeat the password reuse or history enforcement requirement. If users are allowed to immediately and continually change their password, the password could be repeatedly changed in a short period of time to defeat the organization's policy regarding password reuse.

Check Content

Verify the SUSE operating system to create or update passwords with minimum password age of one day or greater.

Check that the SUSE operating system enforces 24 hours/one day as the minimum password age, run the following command:

> grep '^PASS_MIN_DAYS' /etc/login.defs

PASS_MIN_DAYS 1

If no output is produced, or if "PASS_MIN_DAYS" does not have a value of "1" or greater, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the SUSE operating system to enforce 24 hours/one day or greater as the minimum password age.

Edit the file "/etc/login.defs" and add or correct the following line. Replace [DAYS] with the appropriate amount of days:

PASS_MIN_DAYS [DAYS]

The DoD requirement is "1" but a greater value is acceptable.