Configuration Management / Objects with Passwords that Never Expire

Description

This refers to user accounts, service accounts, or other objects within an organization's IT infrastructure that have passwords set to never expire. These objects could include user accounts, privileged accounts, or system service accounts. When passwords for these objects are not subject to periodic expiration, it poses a security risk as it increases the likelihood of unauthorized access and compromises system security.

Risk

The risk associated with objects having passwords that never expire is significant. Over time, if these passwords are not periodically changed, they become more susceptible to being cracked or compromised through various means, such as brute-force attacks, password guessing, or social engineering. An attacker who gains access to an account with an unchanging password could exploit it for an extended period, potentially causing data breaches, unauthorized system access, and other security incidents. Additionally, non-expiring passwords may result in non-compliance with security policies and regulations that mandate password changes at regular intervals.

Solution

• Password Expiry Policies: Implement password expiry policies that require regular password changes for all user and service accounts. Set appropriate password complexity requirements to ensure strong passwords.
• Password Management Tools: Utilize password management tools and solutions to enforce password policies, automate password changes, and securely store and retrieve passwords when necessary.
• Privileged Access Management (PAM): Implement PAM solutions to manage and monitor privileged accounts and ensure that even service accounts with elevated privileges have their passwords changed regularly.
• User Education: Educate users and IT personnel about the importance of password security and the risks associated with non-expiring passwords. Encourage the use of unique, strong passwords.
• Regular Auditing: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and rectify objects with non-expiring passwords. Ensure that all accounts adhere to password expiration policies.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Consider implementing MFA to add an extra layer of security, making it more difficult for attackers to gain unauthorized access, even if they have knowledge of a password.