The Ubuntu operating system must prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-238227 | UBTU-20-010056 | SV-238227r991587_rule | CCI-000366 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| If the Ubuntu 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 | |||
| Canonical Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-16 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-238227r991587_chk)
Verify the Ubuntu operating system uses the "cracklib" library to prevent the use of dictionary words with the following command:
$ grep dictcheck /etc/security/pwquality.conf
dictcheck=1
If the "dictcheck" parameter is not set to "1" or is commented out, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-41396r653855_fix)
Configure the Ubuntu operating system to prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords.
Add or update the following line in the "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" file to include the "dictcheck=1" parameter:
dictcheck=1