Ensure IAM Password Policy Prevents Password Reuse rule
This rule ensures that IAM password policy prevents password reuse to enhance security measures.
| Rule | Ensure IAM password policy prevents password reuse |
| Framework | cis_v130 |
| Severity | ✔ Low |
CIS Benchmark Rule: IAM Password Policy Prevents Password Reuse
Rule Description:
This rule ensures that the password policy of AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) prevents the reuse of passwords. By enforcing a policy that disallows the reuse of passwords, the security of user accounts is significantly enhanced, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Troubleshooting Steps:
If users are able to reuse passwords despite implementing the policy, follow these troubleshooting steps:
- 1.
Verify the IAM Password Policy Configuration: Check if the password reuse policy is correctly configured in the IAM settings. Ensure that the "passwordReusePrevention" parameter is set to the desired value, indicating the number of previous passwords to prevent from reuse.
- 2.
Ensure Password Policy Attachment: Confirm that the password policy is attached to the relevant IAM user groups or individual user accounts. Review the group policies and user policies to ensure the correct and updated password policy is attached.
- 3.
Validate User Configuration: Verify if the users in question are subject to the password policy. Ensure that the specific IAM users attempting to reuse passwords are assigned to the correct IAM group or have individual policies applied.
- 4.
Check IAM Group Inheritance: If using IAM groups, confirm that the group policy does not override the password policy from being enforced at the user level. Review the group's permissions and policy inheritance to ensure proper configuration.
- 5.
Verify Policy Effectivity: Ensure that any changes made to the IAM password policy have been effectively deployed. It may take some time for the changes to propagate throughout the AWS environment. Verify the policy's latest version and its deployment status.
- 6.
Monitor Console Logs: Monitor the AWS CloudTrail logs or IAM service logs to identify any errors or exceptions related to the password policy enforcement. Analyze the logs to pinpoint specific issues and errors encountered during the password reuse prevention process.
Necessary Code:
No specific code is required for this rule. The configuration takes place within the AWS IAM console or through CLI commands.
Remediation Steps:
To remediate this issue and enforce a password reuse prevention policy, follow these step-by-step instructions:
- 1.
Open the AWS Management Console in your web browser and navigate to the IAM service.
- 2.
In the left navigation pane, select "Password Policy" under the "Account settings" section.
- 3.
Review the current password policy settings and determine the appropriate value for the "Prevent password reuse" option. This value represents the number of previous passwords that will be remembered and disallowed for reuse.
- 4.
Click on the "Edit" button next to the "Prevent password reuse" option.
- 5.
Enter the desired number of previously used passwords to prevent reuse, considering the password history requirements specific to your organization's security policies.
- 6.
Click on the "Apply password policy" button to save the changes.
- 7.
Ensure that the updated password policy is attached to all relevant IAM user groups and individual user accounts.
- 8.
Monitor the IAM console or CloudTrail logs to verify that the password reuse prevention policy is being enforced effectively.
By following these steps, you will have successfully remediated the issue and ensured that the IAM password policy prevents password reuse, strengthening the security of user accounts within your AWS environment.