Vulnerability Discussion

Any password, no matter how complex, can eventually be cracked. Therefore, passwords need to be changed periodically. If Ubuntu 22.04 LTS does not limit the lifetime of passwords and force users to change their passwords, there is the risk that Ubuntu 22.04 LTS passwords could be compromised.

Check

Verify Ubuntu 22.04 LTS enforces a 180-day maximum password lifetime for new user accounts by using the following command:

$ grep -i pass_max_days /etc/login.defs
PASS_MAX_DAYS 180

If "PASS_MAX_DAYS" is less than "180", is commented out, or is missing, this is a finding.

Fix

Configure Ubuntu 22.04 LTS to enforce a 180-day maximum password lifetime.

Add or modify the following line in the "/etc/login.defs" file:

PASS_MAX_DAYS 180