Ensure that the SETROPTS PASSWORD(HISTORY) value is set to a minimum of 5

HighLevel 1Manual reviewibm-z

Description

HISTORY specifies the number of previous passwords that RACF saves for each user ID and compares with an intended new password. If there is a match with one of the previous passwords, or with the current password, RACF rejects the intended new password. A password history policy prevents users from immediately reusing an old password by enforcing a minimum number of new, unique passwords that must be used before a previous one can be reused.

How it is checked

Audit method: Manual review

This recommendation cannot be checked automatically. A scan lists it with these instructions when you pass --include-manual.

Issue the following TSO command: SETROPTS LIST Review the command output in the PASSWORD PROCESSING OPTIONS: section. Look for the following message: <nn> GENERATIONS OF PREVIOUS PASSWORDS BEING MAINTAINED. Verify the value is equal to or greater than 5 generations.

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

To modify the HISTORY parameter use the RACF SETROPTS command: SETROPTS PASSWORD(HISTORY(5))

Properties

Operating systems: Any
Tags: ibm-zpassword-policy
Reference: CIS IBM z/OS with RACF Benchmark v1.0.0 - 1.1.2 Ensure that the SETROPTS PASSWORD(HISTORY) value is set to a minimum of 5