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V-228653

CAT II (Medium)

If multifactor authentication is not available and passwords must be used, the Palo Alto Networks security platform must enforce password complexity by requiring that at least one special character be used.

Rule ID

SV-228653r1018778_rule

STIG

Palo Alto Networks NDM Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V3R3

CCIs

CCI-004066, CCI-001619

Discussion

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. Password complexity is one factor of several that determines how long it takes to crack a password. The more complex the password, the greater the number of possible combinations that needs to be tested before the password is compromised.

Check Content

Go to Device >> Setup >> Management.
View the "Minimum Password Complexity" window.
If the "Minimum Special Letters" field is not "1", this is a finding.

Fix Text

Go to Device >> Setup >> Management.
In the "Minimum Password Complexity" window, select the "Edit" icon (the gear symbol in the upper-right corner of the pane).
In the "Minimum Special Letters" field, enter "1".
Check the "Enabled box", then select "OK".
Commit changes by selecting "Commit" in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Select "OK" when the confirmation dialog appears.