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 require the maximum number of repeating characters be limited to three when passwords are changed.

DISA Rule

SV-269395r1050278_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-269395

Group Title

SRG-OS-000072-GPOS-00040

Rule Version

ALMA-09-036870

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

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

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure AlmaLinux OS 9 to require the change of the number of repeating consecutive characters when passwords are changed by setting the "maxrepeat" option.

Add the following line to "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" (or modify the line to have the required value):

maxrepeat = 3

Check Contents

Verify the value of the "maxrepeat" option in "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" with the following command:

$ grep -ir maxrepeat /etc/security/pwquality.conf*

/etc/security/pwquality.conf:# maxrepeat = 0
/etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/stig.conf:maxrepeat = 3

If the value of "maxrepeat" is set to more than "3", or is commented out, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-269395

Documentable

False

Rule Version

ALMA-09-036870

Severity Override Guidance

Verify the value of the "maxrepeat" option in "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" with the following command:

$ grep -ir maxrepeat /etc/security/pwquality.conf*

/etc/security/pwquality.conf:# maxrepeat = 0
/etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/stig.conf:maxrepeat = 3

If the value of "maxrepeat" is set to more than "3", or is commented out, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5664