← Back to Cloud Linux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide

V-269147

CAT II (Medium)

AlmaLinux OS 9 must automatically lock an account when three unsuccessful logon attempts occur.

Rule ID

SV-269147r1050029_rule

STIG

Cloud Linux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V1R6

CCIs

CCI-000044

Discussion

By limiting the number of failed logon attempts, the risk of unauthorized system access via user password guessing, otherwise known as brute-force attacks, is reduced. Limits are imposed by locking the account.

Check Content

Verify AlmaLinux OS 9 is configured to lock an account after three unsuccessful logon attempts with the command:

$ grep deny /etc/security/faillock.conf

deny = 3

If the "deny" option is not set to 3 or less (but not 0), is missing or commented out, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure AlmaLinux OS 9 to lock an account when three unsuccessful logon attempts occur using pam_faillock.

First, enable the feature using the following command:

$ authselect enable-feature with-faillock

Then, add or update the following line in the "/etc/security/faillock.conf" file:

deny = 3