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 enable the Pluggable Authentication Module (PAM) interface for SSHD.

DISA Rule

SV-269420r1050303_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-269420

Group Title

SRG-OS-000125-GPOS-00065

Rule Version

ALMA-09-040390

Severity

CAT I

CCI(s)

• CCI-000877 - Employ strong authentication in the establishment of nonlocal maintenance and diagnostic sessions.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure the SSH daemon to use PAM.

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

UsePAM yes

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/pam.conf
UsePAM yes
EOF

Restart the SSH daemon for the settings to take effect:

$ systemctl restart sshd.service

Check Contents

Verify the AlmaLinux OS 9 SSHD is configured to allow for the UsePAM interface with the following command:

$ sshd -T | grep usepam

usepam yes

If the "UsePAM" keyword is set to "no", is missing, or is commented out, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-269420

Documentable

False

Rule Version

ALMA-09-040390

Severity Override Guidance

Verify the AlmaLinux OS 9 SSHD is configured to allow for the UsePAM interface with the following command:

$ sshd -T | grep usepam

usepam yes

If the "UsePAM" keyword is set to "no", is missing, or is commented out, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5664