NixOS must prevent the use of dictionary words for passwords.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-268169 | ANIX-00-001860 | SV-268169r1039395_rule | Medium |
| Description |
| If the 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 |
| Anduril NixOS Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2024-10-25 |
Details
| Check Text (C-72093r1039393_chk) |
| Verify NixOS prevents the use of dictionary words for passwords with the following command: $ grep dict /etc/security/pwquality.conf dictcheck=1 If the value of "ocredit" is a positive number or is commented out, this is a finding. |
| Fix Text (F-71996r1039394_fix) |
| Configure NixOS to check password change attempts against a dictionary. Add/modify /etc/nixos/configuration.nix to include the following lines: environment.etc."/security/pwquality.conf".text = '' dictcheck=1 ''; Rebuild the system with the following command: $ sudo nixos-rebuild switch |