Passwords for existing users must have a 60-day maximum password lifetime restriction in /etc/shadow.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-269405	ALMA-09-037970	SV-269405r1050288_rule		Medium

Description

Any password, no matter how complex, can eventually be cracked. Therefore, Passwords must be changed periodically. If the operating system does not limit the lifetime of passwords and force users to change their passwords, there is the risk that the operating system passwords could be compromised.

STIG	Date
CloudLinux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2025-05-22

Details

Check Text (C-73436r1048591_chk)

Check whether the maximum time period for existing passwords is restricted to 60 days with the following command:

$ awk -F: '$5 <= 0 || $5 > 60 {print $1 " " $5}' /etc/shadow

If any results are returned that are not associated with a system account, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-73337r1048592_fix)

Configure noncompliant accounts to enforce a 60-day maximum password lifetime restriction using the following command, substituting in the username:

$ chage -M 60 [user]