AlmaLinux OS 9 must configure the use of the pam_faillock.so module in the /etc/pam.d/password-auth file.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-269151 | ALMA-09-007940 | SV-269151r1050033_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. If the pam_faillock.so module is not loaded, the system will not correctly lockout accounts to prevent password guessing attacks. |
| STIG | Date |
| CloudLinux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-22 |
Details
| Check Text (C-73182r1047829_chk) |
| Verify the pam_faillock.so module is present in the "/etc/pam.d/password-auth" file: $ grep pam_faillock.so /etc/pam.d/password-auth auth required pam_faillock.so preauth auth required pam_faillock.so authfail account required pam_faillock.so If the pam_faillock.so module is not present in the "/etc/pam.d/password-auth" file with the "preauth" line listed before pam_unix.so, this is a finding. If the system administrator (SA) can demonstrate that the required configuration is contained in a PAM configuration file included or substacked from the system-auth file, this is not a finding. |
| Fix Text (F-73083r1049211_fix) |
| Configure AlmaLinux OS 9 to include the use of the pam_faillock.so module in the /etc/pam.d/password-auth file. Add/modify the appropriate sections of the "/etc/pam.d/password-auth" file to match the following lines, ensuring that the "preauth" line is listed before pam_unix.so. auth required pam_faillock.so preauth auth required pam_faillock.so authfail account required pam_faillock.so Note: Do not simply copy these three lines into the file; their location/order is important. |