V-258127

Discussion

If the private key is discovered, an attacker can use the key to authenticate as an authorized user and gain access to the network infrastructure. The cornerstone of the PKI is the private key used to encrypt or digitally sign information. If the private key is stolen, this will lead to the compromise of the authentication and nonrepudiation gained through PKI because the attacker can use the private key to digitally sign documents and pretend to be the authorized user. Both the holders of a digital certificate and the issuing authority must protect the computers, storage devices, or whatever they use to keep the private keys.

Check Content

Note: If the system administrator demonstrates the use of an approved alternate multifactor authentication method, this requirement is not applicable.

Verify the SSH private key files have a passcode.

For each private key stored on the system, use the following command:

$ sudo ssh-keygen -y -f /path/to/file

The expected output is a password prompt:
 "Enter passphrase:"

If the password prompt is not displayed, and the contents of the key are displayed, this is a finding.