Amazon Linux 2023 must automatically lock an account when three unsuccessful logon attempts occur.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-274154 | AZLX-23-002455 | SV-274154r1120450_rule | CCI-002238 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| By limiting the number of failed logon attempts, the risk of unauthorized system access via user password guessing, otherwise known as brute-forcing, is reduced. Limits are imposed by locking the account. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Amazon Linux 2023 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2026-02-27 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-274154r1120450_chk)
Verify Amazon Linux 2023 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 (F-78150r1120449_fix)
Configure Amazon Linux 2023 to lock an account when three unsuccessful logon attempts occur.
Add/modify the "/etc/security/faillock.conf" file to match the following line:
deny = 3