The Oracle Linux operating system must be configured so that when passwords are changed the number of repeating consecutive characters must not be more than three characters.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-221675 | OL07-00-010180 | SV-221675r1015172_rule | CCI-000195 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| Use of a complex password helps to increase the time and resources required to compromise the password. Password complexity, or strength, is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting attempts at guessing and brute-force attacks. Password complexity is one of several factors that determines how long it takes to crack a password. The more complex the password, the greater the number of possible combinations that need to be tested before the password is compromised. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Oracle Linux 7 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-08 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-221675r1015172_chk)
The "maxrepeat" option sets the maximum number of allowed same consecutive characters in a new password.
Check for the value of the "maxrepeat" option in "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" with the following command:
# grep maxrepeat /etc/security/pwquality.conf
maxrepeat = 3
If the value of "maxrepeat" is set to more than "3", this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-23379r419098_fix)
Configure the operating system to require the change of the number of repeating consecutive characters when passwords are changed by setting the "maxrepeat" option.
Add the following line to "/etc/security/pwquality.conf conf" (or modify the line to have the required value):
maxrepeat = 3