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V-238325

CAT II (Medium)

The Ubuntu operating system must encrypt all stored passwords with a FIPS 140-2 approved cryptographic hashing algorithm.

Rule ID

SV-238325r971535_rule

STIG

Canonical Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V2R4

CCIs

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.

Check Content

Verify that the shadow password suite configuration is set to encrypt passwords with a FIPS 140-2 approved cryptographic hashing algorithm. 
 
Check the hashing algorithm that is being used to hash passwords with the following command: 
 
$ cat /etc/login.defs | grep -i encrypt_method 
 
ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512 
 
If "ENCRYPT_METHOD" does not equal SHA512 or greater, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the Ubuntu operating system to encrypt all stored passwords.  
 
Edit/modify the following line in the "/etc/login.defs" file and set "ENCRYPT_METHOD" to SHA512: 
 
ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512