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PAM: Enforce a Password-Quality Policy

MediumLinux Security10-20 min
The brief

Harden password quality with pam_pwquality. The config is /etc/security/pwquality.conf (currently all defaults, commented out); your required thresholds are in /root/case/assignment.env.

Set these keys in the config:

  • minlen — minimum length (REQ_MINLEN)
  • minclass — minimum character classes (REQ_MINCLASS)
  • dcredit — minimum required digits, as a negative value (REQ_DCREDIT)

The minimum length and digit count vary per session; every assignment meets the CIS Ubuntu 22.04 Benchmark (length 14 or more, all four character classes). See /root/case/brief.txt.

What you'll do
  • Configure pam_pwquality via /etc/security/pwquality.conf
  • Set a minimum password length and class requirement
  • Understand negative *credit values as minimum requirements
  • Apply a systemwide password policy

Hands-on lab: you work on a real Linux box in your browser, graded on the machine's actual state.