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

Amazon Linux 2023 must enforce password complexity rules for the root account.

DISA Rule

SV-274139r1120405_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-274139

Group Title

SRG-OS-000072-GPOS-00040

Rule Version

AZLX-23-002385

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

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

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure Amazon Linux 2023 to enforce password complexity on the root account.

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 to contain the "enforce_for_root" parameter:

enforce_for_root

Check Contents

Verify Amazon Linux 2023 enforces password complexity rules for the root account with the following command:

$ sudo grep -rs enforce_for_root /etc/security/pwquality.conf /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/*.conf
/etc/security/pwquality.conf:enforce_for_root

If "enforce_for_root" is commented or missing, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-274139

Documentable

False

Rule Version

AZLX-23-002385

Severity Override Guidance

Verify Amazon Linux 2023 enforces password complexity rules for the root account with the following command:

$ sudo grep -rs enforce_for_root /etc/security/pwquality.conf /etc/security/pwquality.conf.d/*.conf
/etc/security/pwquality.conf:enforce_for_root

If "enforce_for_root" is commented or missing, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5700