cis-ubuntu1804-v220-6-2-2

name	cis-ubuntu1804-v220-6-2-2
description	Ensure /etc/shadow password fields are not empty
category	cis-iam
version	2.2.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","ubuntu","linux","ubuntu-18.04","users"]
cis_id	6.2.2
cis_benchmark	CIS Ubuntu Linux 18.04 LTS Benchmark v2.2.0
tech_stack	["ubuntu","linux"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

6.2.2 Ensure /etc/shadow password fields are not empty (Automated)

Profile

• Level 1 - Server
• Level 1 - Workstation

Description

An account with an empty password field means that anybody may log in as that user without providing a password.

Rationale

All accounts must have passwords or be locked to prevent the account from being used by an unauthorized user.

Audit Procedure

Command Line

Run the following command and verify that no output is returned:

# awk -F: '($2 == "" ) { print $1 " does not have a password"}' /etc/shadow

Expected Result

No output should be returned.

Remediation

Command Line

If any accounts in the /etc/shadow file do not have a password, run the following command to lock the account until it can be determined why it does not have a password:

# passwd -l <username>

Also, check to see if the account is logged in and investigate what it is being used for to determine if it needs to be forced off.

References

1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: IA-5

CIS Controls

• v8: 5.2 Use Unique Passwords
• v7: 4.4 Use Unique Passwords