NixOS must prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-268169 | ANIX-00-001860 | SV-268169r1131144_rule | CCI-000366 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| If the operating system allows the user to select passwords based on dictionary words, then this increases the chances of password compromise by increasing the opportunity for successful guesses and brute-force attacks. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Anduril NixOS Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-08-19 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-268169r1131144_chk)
Verify NixOS prevents the use of dictionary words for passwords with the following command:
$ grep dictcheck /etc/security/pwquality.conf
dictcheck=1
If the value of "ocredit" is a positive number or is commented out, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-71996r1131143_fix)
Configure NixOS to check password change attempts against a dictionary.
Add the following Nix code to the NixOS Configuration, usually located in /etc/nixos/configuration.nix or /etc/nixos/flake.nix:
environment.etc."/security/pwquality.conf".text = ''
dictcheck=1
'';
Rebuild and switch to the new NixOS configuration:
$ sudo nixos-rebuild switch