AlmaLinux OS 9 must be configured so that the system's shadow file is configured to store only encrypted representations of passwords.

STIG ID: ALMA-09-037420  |  SRG: SRG-OS-000073-GPOS-00041 |  Severity: high |  CCI: CCI-004062 |  Vulnerability Id: V-269400

Vulnerability Discussion

Passwords must be protected at all times, and encryption is the standard method for protecting passwords. If passwords are not encrypted, they can be plainly read (i.e., clear text) and easily compromised.

The system must use a strong hashing algorithm to store the password.

Check

Verify the system's shadow file is configured to store only encrypted representations of passwords with a hash value of SHA512 with the following command:

$ grep ENCRYPT_METHOD /etc/login.defs

ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512

If "ENCRYPT_METHOD" does not have a value of "SHA512", or the line is commented out, this is a finding.

Fix

Configure AlmaLinux OS 9 to use the SHA-512 algorithm for password hashing.

Add or update the following line in the "/etc/login.defs" file:

ENCRYPT_METHOD SHA512
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