RHEL 9 must automatically lock an account when three unsuccessful logon attempts occur.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-258054 | RHEL-09-411075 | SV-258054r958736_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. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000329-GPOS-00128, SRG-OS-000021-GPOS-00005 |
| STIG | Date |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-14 |
Details
| Check Text (C-61795r926147_chk) |
| Verify RHEL 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-61719r926148_fix) |
| Configure RHEL 9 to lock an account when three unsuccessful logon attempts occur. Add/modify the "/etc/security/faillock.conf" file to match the following line: deny = 3 |