STIGQter: STIG Summary: Canonical Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 1 Release: 6 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS must require the change of at least eight characters when passwords are changed.

DISA Rule

SV-270729r1066676_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-270729

Group Title

SRG-OS-000072-GPOS-00040

Rule Version

UBTU-24-400290

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-004065 - For password-based authentication, employ automated tools to assist the user in selecting strong password authenticators.
• CCI-004066 - For password-based authentication, enforce organization-defined composition and complexity rules.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure Ubuntu 24.04 LTS to require the change of at least eight characters when passwords are changed.

Add or update the "/etc/security/pwquality.conf" file to include the "difok=8" parameter:

difok=8

Check Contents

Verify Ubuntu 24.04 LTS requires the change of at least eight characters when passwords are changed with the following command:

$ grep -i "difok" /etc/security/pwquality.conf
difok=8

If the "difok" parameter is less than "8" or is commented out, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-270729

Documentable

False

Rule Version

UBTU-24-400290

Severity Override Guidance

Verify Ubuntu 24.04 LTS requires the change of at least eight characters when passwords are changed with the following command:

$ grep -i "difok" /etc/security/pwquality.conf
difok=8

If the "difok" parameter is less than "8" or is commented out, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5673