STIGQter: STIG Summary: Oracle Linux 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 1 Release: 6 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

OL 9 must require the change of at least eight characters when passwords are changed.

DISA Rule

SV-271617r1091563_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-271617

Group Title

SRG-OS-000072-GPOS-00040

Rule Version

OL09-00-001025

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

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

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

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

difok = 8

Check Contents

Verify that OL 9 requires the change of at least eight characters when passwords are changed.

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

$ grep difok /etc/security/pwquality.conf /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/*.conf
difok = 8

If the value of "difok" is set to less than "8", or is commented out, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-271617

Documentable

False

Rule Version

OL09-00-001025

Severity Override Guidance

Verify that OL 9 requires the change of at least eight characters when passwords are changed.

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

$ grep difok /etc/security/pwquality.conf /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/*.conf
difok = 8

If the value of "difok" is set to less than "8", or is commented out, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5680