AlmaLinux OS 9 must not have accounts configured with blank or null passwords.

Overview

Finding IDVersionRule IDIA ControlsSeverity
V-269219ALMA-09-015860SV-269219r1050101_ruleCCI-000366medium
Description
If an account has an empty password, anyone could log in and run commands with the privileges of that account. Accounts with empty passwords should never be used in operational environments.
STIGDate
CloudLinux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide2025-05-22

Details

Check Text (C-269219r1050101_chk)

Verify that null or blank passwords cannot be used with the following command: $ awk -F: '!$2 {print $1}' /etc/shadow If the command returns any results, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-73151r1049332_fix)

Configure all accounts on AlmaLinux OS 9 to have a password or lock the account with the following commands: Perform a password reset: $ passwd [username] To lock an account: $ passwd -l [username]