STIGQter: STIG Summary: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 8 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

RHEL 8 must not allow blank or null passwords in the password-auth file.

DISA Rule

SV-244541r1017347_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-244541

Group Title

SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227

Rule Version

RHEL-08-020332

Severity

CAT I

CCI(s)

CCI-000366 - Implement the security configuration settings.

Weight

Fix Recommendation

Remove any instances of the "nullok" option in the "/etc/pam.d/password-auth" file to prevent logons with empty passwords.

Note: Manual changes to the listed file may be overwritten by the "authselect" program.

Check Contents

To verify that null passwords cannot be used, run the following command:

$ sudo grep -i nullok /etc/pam.d/password-auth

If output is produced, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-244541

Documentable

False

Rule Version

RHEL-08-020332

Severity Override Guidance

To verify that null passwords cannot be used, run the following command:

$ sudo grep -i nullok /etc/pam.d/password-auth

If output is produced, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

Target Key

2921