cis-ubuntu2004-v300-5-3-2-4

name	cis-ubuntu2004-v300-5-3-2-4
description	Ensure pam_pwhistory module is enabled
category	cis-iam
version	3.0.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","ubuntu","linux","ubuntu-20.04","pam","authentication"]
cis_id	5.3.2.4
cis_benchmark	CIS Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS Benchmark v3.0.0
tech_stack	["ubuntu","linux"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

5.3.2.4 Ensure pam_pwhistory module is enabled (Automated)

Profile Applicability

• Level 1 - Server
• Level 1 - Workstation

Description

The pam_pwhistory.so module saves the last passwords for each user in order to force password change history and keep the user from alternating between the same password too frequently.

This module does not work together with kerberos. In general, it does not make much sense to use this module in conjunction with NIS or LDAP, since the old passwords are stored on the local machine and are not available on another machine for password history checking.

Rationale

Use of a unique, complex passwords helps to increase the time and resources required to compromise the password.

Audit Procedure

Command Line

Run the following command to verify that pam_pwhistory.so is enabled:

# grep -P -- '\bpam_pwhistory\.so\b' /etc/pam.d/common-password

Expected Result

Output should be similar to:

password   requisite   pam_pwhistory.so remember=24 enforce_for_root use_authtok

Remediation

Command Line

Run the following script to verify the pam_pwhistory.so line exists in a pam-auth-update profile:

# grep -P -- '\bpam_pwhistory\.so\b' /usr/share/pam-configs/*

Output should be similar to:

/usr/share/pam-configs/pwhistory:       requisite   pam_pwhistory.so remember=24 enforce_for_root use_authtok

• IF - similar output is returned: Run the following command to update /etc/pam.d/common-password with the returned profile:

# pam-auth-update --enable {PROFILE_NAME}

Example:

# pam-auth-update pwhistory

• IF - similar output is NOT returned: Create a pwhistory profile in /usr/share/pam-configs/ with the following lines:

Name: pwhistory password history checking
Default: yes
Priority: 1024
Password-Type: Primary
Password: requisite pam_pwhistory.so remember=24 enforce_for_root use_authtok