AlmaLinux OS 9 must be configured so that libuser is configured to store only encrypted representations of passwords.

Severity
Group ID
Group Title
Version
Rule ID
Date
STIG Version
highV-269399SRG-OS-000073-GPOS-00041ALMA-09-037310SV-269399r1050282_rule2025-02-201
Description
Passwords must be protected at all times, and encryption is the standard method for protecting passwords. If passwords are not encrypted, they can be plainly read (i.e., clear text) and easily compromised. The system must use a strong hashing algorithm to store the password.
ℹ️ Check
Verify the user and group account administration utilities are configured to store only encrypted representations of passwords with the following command: $ grep crypt_style /etc/libuser.conf crypt_style = sha512 If the "crypt_style" variable is not set to "sha512", is not in the defaults section, is commented out, or does not exist, this is a finding.
✔️ Fix
Configure AlmaLinux OS 9 to use the SHA-512 algorithm for password hashing. Add or change the following line in the "[defaults]" section of the "/etc/libuser.conf" file: crypt_style = sha512