{"description": "The <tt>pam_pwhistory.so</tt> module is part of the Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) \nframework designed to increase password security. It works by storing a history of previously \nused passwords for each user, ensuring users cannot alternate between the same passwords too frequently.\n<br /><br />\nThis module is incompatible with Kerberos. Furthermore, its usage with <tt>NIS</tt> or <tt>LDAP</tt> is \ngenerally impractical, as other machines can not access local password histories.", "rationale": "Enforcing strong passwords increases the difficulty and resources required \nfor password compromise.", "severity": "medium", "references": {"cis": ["5.3.2.4"]}, "control_references": {"cis": ["5.3.2.4"]}, "components": [], "identifiers": {}, "ocil_clause": null, "ocil": null, "oval_external_content": null, "fixtext": "", "checktext": "", "vuldiscussion": "", "srg_requirement": "", "warnings": [], "conflicts": [], "requires": [], "policy_specific_content": {}, "platform": "package[pam]", "platforms": ["package[pam]"], "sce_metadata": {}, "inherited_platforms": ["system_with_kernel"], "cpe_platform_names": ["package_pam"], "inherited_cpe_platform_names": ["system_with_kernel"], "bash_conditional": null, "fixes": {}, "title": "Verify pam_pwhistory module is activated", "definition_location": "/aptdata/openscap/scap-security-guide/linux_os/guide/system/accounts/accounts-pam/locking_out_password_attempts/accounts_password_pam_pwhistory_enabled/rule.yml", "template": null}