STIGQter: STIG Summary: Oracle Linux 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 9 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

OL 8 must require the change of at least eight characters when passwords are changed.

DISA Rule

SV-248693r1015053_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-248693

Group Title

SRG-OS-000072-GPOS-00040

Rule Version

OL08-00-020170

Severity

CAT III

CCI(s)

• CCI-004066 - For password-based authentication, enforce organization-defined composition and complexity rules.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure OL 8 to require the change of at least eight of the total number of characters when passwords are changed by setting the "difok" option.

Add or update the following line in the "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" file or a configuration file in the "/etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/" directory:

difok = 8

Remove any configurations that conflict with the above value.

Check Contents

Verify the value of the "difok" option in "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" or "/etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/*.conf" files with the following command:

$ sudo grep -r difok /etc/security/pwquality.conf*

/etc/security/pwquality.conf:difok = 8

If the value of "difok" is set to less than "8" or is commented out, this is a finding.
If conflicting results are returned, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-248693

Documentable

False

Rule Version

OL08-00-020170

Severity Override Guidance

Verify the value of the "difok" option in "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" or "/etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/*.conf" files with the following command:

$ sudo grep -r difok /etc/security/pwquality.conf*

/etc/security/pwquality.conf:difok = 8

If the value of "difok" is set to less than "8" or is commented out, this is a finding.
If conflicting results are returned, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5416