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V-271627

CAT II (Medium)

OL 9 shadow password suite must be configured to use a sufficient number of hashing rounds.

Rule ID

SV-271627r1091593_rule

STIG

Oracle Linux 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V1R5

CCIs

CCI-004062 CCI-000803

Discussion

Passwords need to be protected at all times, and encryption is the standard method for protecting passwords. If passwords are not encrypted, they can be plainly read (i.e., clear text) and easily compromised. Passwords that are encrypted with a weak algorithm are no more protected than if they are kept in plain text. Using more hashing rounds makes password cracking attacks more difficult. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000073-GPOS-00041, SRG-OS-000120-GPOS-00061

Check Content

Verify that OL 9 has a minimum number of hash rounds configured with the following command:

$ grep -i sha_crypt /etc/login.defs

If "SHA_CRYPT_MIN_ROUNDS" or "SHA_CRYPT_MAX_ROUNDS" is less than "100000", this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure OL 9 to encrypt all stored passwords with a strong cryptographic hash.

Edit/modify the following line in the "/etc/login.defs" file and set "SHA_CRYPT_MIN_ROUNDS" to a value no lower than "100000":

SHA_CRYPT_MIN_ROUNDS 100000
SHA_CRYPT_MAX_ROUNDS 100000