AlmaLinux OS 9 must automatically lock an account when three unsuccessful logon attempts occur.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-269147 | ALMA-09-007500 | SV-269147r1050029_rule | Medium |
| Description |
| By limiting the number of failed logon attempts, the risk of unauthorized system access via user password guessing, otherwise known as brute-force attacks, is reduced. Limits are imposed by locking the account. |
| STIG | Date |
| CloudLinux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-22 |
Details
| Check Text (C-73178r1049200_chk) |
| Verify AlmaLinux OS 9 is configured to lock an account after three unsuccessful logon attempts with the command: $ grep deny /etc/security/faillock.conf deny = 3 If the "deny" option is not set to 3 or less (but not 0), is missing or commented out, this is a finding. |
| Fix Text (F-73079r1049201_fix) |
| Configure AlmaLinux OS 9 to lock an account when three unsuccessful logon attempts occur using pam_faillock. First, enable the feature using the following command: $ authselect enable-feature with-faillock Then, add or update the following line in the "/etc/security/faillock.conf" file: deny = 3 |