Vulnerability Discussion

Any password, no matter how complex, can eventually be cracked. Therefore, passwords need to be changed periodically. If Ubuntu 24.04 LTS does not limit the lifetime of passwords and force users to change their passwords, there is the risk that Ubuntu 24.04 LTS passwords could be compromised.

Satisfies: SRG-OS-000076-GPOS-00044, SRG-OS-000730-GPOS-00190

Check

Verify Ubuntu 24.04 LTS enforces a 60-day maximum password lifetime for new user accounts with the following command:

$ grep -i ^PASS_MAX_DAYS /etc/login.defs
PASS_MAX_DAYS 60

If the "PASS_MAX_DAYS" parameter value is less than "60" or is commented out, this is a finding.

Fix

Configure Ubuntu 24.04 LTS to enforce a 60-day maximum password lifetime.

Add or modify the following line in the "/etc/login.defs" file:

PASS_MAX_DAYS 60