STIGQter STIGQter: STIG Summary: Cloud Linux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 1 Release: 7 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

AlmaLinux OS 9 must not allow blank or null passwords.

DISA Rule

SV-269218r1050100_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-269218

Group Title

SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227

Rule Version

ALMA-09-015750

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

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

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

Check Contents

Verify that null passwords cannot be used with the following command:

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

If output is produced, this is a finding.

If the system administrator (SA) can demonstrate that the required configuration is contained in a PAM configuration file included or substacked from the system-auth file, this is not a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-269218

Documentable

False

Rule Version

ALMA-09-015750

Severity Override Guidance

Verify that null passwords cannot be used with the following command:

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

If output is produced, this is a finding.

If the system administrator (SA) can demonstrate that the required configuration is contained in a PAM configuration file included or substacked from the system-auth file, this is not a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5664