RHEL 9 must employ FIPS 140-3-approved cryptographic hashing algorithms for all stored passwords.

The system must use a strong hashing algorithm to store the password.

Passwords need to be protected at all times, and encryption is the standard method for protecting passwords. If passwords are not encrypted, they can be plainly read (i.e., clear text) and easily compromised.

Satisfies: SRG-OS-000073-GPOS-00041, SRG-OS-000120-GPOS-00061

Verify the interactive user account passwords are using a strong password hash with the following command:

$ sudo cut -d: -f1,2 /etc/shadow nsauser:$6$kcOnRq/5$NUEYPuyL.wghQwWssXRcLRFiiru7f5JPV6GaJhNC2aK5F3PZpE/BCCtwrxRc/AInKMNX3CdMw11m9STiql12f/

Password hashes "!" or "*" indicate inactive accounts not available for logon and are not evaluated.

If any interactive user password hash does not begin with "$6$", this is a finding.

Lock all interactive user accounts not using SHA-512 hashing until the passwords can be regenerated with SHA-512.