STIGQter: STIG Summary: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 9 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

RHEL 9 must require the change of at least four character classes when passwords are changed.

DISA Rule

SV-258115r1045238_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-258115

Group Title

SRG-OS-000072-GPOS-00040

Rule Version

RHEL-09-611130

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

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

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure RHEL 9 to require the change of at least four character classes when passwords are changed by setting the "minclass" 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 to contain the "minclass" parameter:

minclass = 4

Check Contents

Verify that RHEL 9 requires passwords to contain at least four character classes.

$ grep minclass /etc/security/pwquality.conf /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/*.conf

minclass = 4

If the value of "minclass" is set to less than "4", or is commented out, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-258115

Documentable

False

Rule Version

RHEL-09-611130

Severity Override Guidance

Verify that RHEL 9 requires passwords to contain at least four character classes.

$ grep minclass /etc/security/pwquality.conf /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/*.conf

minclass = 4

If the value of "minclass" is set to less than "4", or is commented out, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5551