AlmaLinux OS 9 must be configured so that the system's shadow file is configured to store only encrypted representations of passwords.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-269400 | ALMA-09-037420 | SV-269400r1050283_rule | High |
| Description |
| 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. |
| STIG | Date |
| CloudLinux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-22 |
Details
| Check Text (C-73431r1048576_chk) |
| 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 Text (F-73332r1049635_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 |