Consecutive login attempts for SSH must be limited to 3.

Overview

Finding IDVersionRule IDIA ControlsSeverity
V-216115SOL-11.1-040340SV-216115r959010_ruleCCI-000366low
Description
Setting the authentication login limit to a low value will disconnect the attacker and force a reconnect, which severely limits the speed of such brute-force attacks.
STIGDate
Solaris 11 X86 Security Technical Implementation Guide2025-05-05

Details

Check Text (C-216115r959010_chk)

Determine if consecutive login attempts are limited to 3. # grep "^MaxAuthTries" /etc/ssh/sshd_config | grep -v Log If the output of this command is not: MaxAuthTries 6 this is a finding. Note: Solaris SSH MaxAuthTries of 6 maps to 3 actual failed attempts.

Fix Text (F-17351r462479_fix)

The root role is required. Modify the sshd_config file. # pfedit /etc/ssh/sshd_config Locate the line containing: MaxAuthTries Change it to: MaxAuthTries 6 Restart the SSH service. # svcadm restart svc:/network/ssh Note: Solaris SSH MaxAuthTries of 6 maps to 3 actual failed attempts.