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

AlmaLinux OS 9 SSHD must not allow blank passwords.

DISA Rule

SV-269374r1050257_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-269374

Group Title

SRG-OS-000106-GPOS-00053

Rule Version

ALMA-09-034120

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-000766 - Implement multifactor authentication for network access to non-privileged accounts.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure the SSH daemon to prevent users logging in with blank passwords.

Add the following line to "/etc/ssh/sshd_config", or uncomment the line and set the value to "yes":

PermitEmptyPasswords no

Alternatively, add the setting to an include file if the line "Include /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/*.conf" is found at the top of the "/etc/ssh/sshd_config" file:

$ cat << EOF | tee /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/emptypasswords.conf
PermitEmptyPasswords no
EOF

Restart the SSH daemon for the settings to take effect:

$ systemctl restart sshd.service

Check Contents

Verify AlmaLinux OS 9 remote access using SSH prevents logging on with a blank password with the following command:

$ sshd -T | grep -i permitemptypasswords

permitemptypasswords no

If "PermitEmptyPasswords" is set to "yes", or the line is missing, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-269374

Documentable

False

Rule Version

ALMA-09-034120

Severity Override Guidance

Verify AlmaLinux OS 9 remote access using SSH prevents logging on with a blank password with the following command:

$ sshd -T | grep -i permitemptypasswords

permitemptypasswords no

If "PermitEmptyPasswords" is set to "yes", or the line is missing, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5664