STIGQter: STIG Summary: Amazon Linux 2023 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 1 Release: 4 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

Amazon Linux 2023 SSHD must not allow blank passwords.

DISA Rule

SV-274048r1120132_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-274048

Group Title

SRG-OS-000106-GPOS-00053

Rule Version

AZLX-23-001235

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-000766 - Implement multifactor authentication for network access to non-privileged accounts.
• CCI-000366 - Implement the security configuration settings.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure Amazon Linux 2023 to prevent SSH users from logging on with blank passwords.

Edit the following line in "etc/ssh/sshd_config" or in a file in "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d":

PermitEmptyPasswords no

Restart the SSH daemon for the settings to take effect:

$ sudo systemctl restart sshd.service

Check Contents

Verify Amazon Linux 2023 remote access using SSH prevents logging on with a blank password with the following command:

$ sudo grep -ir PermitEmptyPasswords /etc/ssh/sshd_config /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/
/etc/ssh/sshd_config:PermitEmptyPasswords no

If the "PermitEmptyPassword" keyword is set to "yes", is missing, or is commented out, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-274048

Documentable

False

Rule Version

AZLX-23-001235

Severity Override Guidance

Verify Amazon Linux 2023 remote access using SSH prevents logging on with a blank password with the following command:

$ sudo grep -ir PermitEmptyPasswords /etc/ssh/sshd_config /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/
/etc/ssh/sshd_config:PermitEmptyPasswords no

If the "PermitEmptyPassword" keyword is set to "yes", is missing, or is commented out, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5700