Ubuntu 22.04 LTS must enforce a minimum 15-character password length.

Severity
Group ID
Group Title
Version
Rule ID
Date
STIG Version
mediumV-260565SRG-OS-000078-GPOS-00046UBTU-22-611035SV-260565r1015016_rule2025-03-032
Description
The shorter the password, the lower the number of possible combinations that need to be tested before the password is compromised. Password complexity, or strength, is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting attempts at guessing and brute-force attacks. Password length is one factor of several that helps to determine strength and how long it takes to crack a password. Use of more characters in a password helps to exponentially increase the time and/or resources required to compromise the password.
ℹ️ Check
Verify the pwquality configuration file enforces a minimum 15-character password length by using the following command: $ grep -i minlen /etc/security/pwquality.conf minlen = 15 If "minlen" is not "15" or higher, is commented out, or is missing, this is a finding.
✔️ Fix
Configure Ubuntu 22.04 LTS to enforce a minimum 15-character password length. Add or modify the following line in the "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" file: minlen = 15