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 change of at least eight characters when passwords are changed.

DISA Rule

SV-269397r1050280_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-269397

Group Title

SRG-OS-000072-GPOS-00040

Rule Version

ALMA-09-037090

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 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 that AlmaLinux OS 9 enforces password complexity by requiring at least eight characters differ when passwords are changed with the following command:

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

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

If the value of "difok" is less than "8", is not set, is commented out, or if conflicting results are returned, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-269397

Documentable

False

Rule Version

ALMA-09-037090

Severity Override Guidance

Verify that AlmaLinux OS 9 enforces password complexity by requiring at least eight characters differ when passwords are changed with the following command:

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

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

If the value of "difok" is less than "8", is not set, is commented out, or if conflicting results are returned, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5664