DISA STIGS Viewer

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS must enforce a 60-day maximum password lifetime restriction. Passwords for new users must have a 60-day maximum password lifetime restriction.

Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-270731 UBTU-24-400310 SV-270731r1066682_rule   Medium
Description
Any password, no matter how complex, can eventually be cracked. Therefore, passwords need to be changed periodically. If Ubuntu 24.04 LTS does not limit the lifetime of passwords and force users to change their passwords, there is the risk that Ubuntu 24.04 LTS passwords could be compromised. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000076-GPOS-00044, SRG-OS-000730-GPOS-00190
STIG Date
Canonical Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide 2025-05-16

Details

Check Text (C-74764r1066680_chk)
Verify Ubuntu 24.04 LTS enforces a 60-day maximum password lifetime for new user accounts with the following command:

$ grep -i ^PASS_MAX_DAYS /etc/login.defs
PASS_MAX_DAYS 60

If the "PASS_MAX_DAYS" parameter value is less than "60" or is commented out, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-74665r1066681_fix)
Configure Ubuntu 24.04 LTS to enforce a 60-day maximum password lifetime.

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

PASS_MAX_DAYS 60