10.5 Lock Inactive User Accounts (Scored)

---
name: cis-ubuntu1204-v110-10-5-af20381229d5
description: "Lock Inactive User Accounts"
category: cis-os-hardening
version: "1.1.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, ubuntu, 12.04, linux, inactive-accounts, user-management, authentication]
cis_id: "10.5"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server Benchmark v1.1.0"
tech_stack: [ubuntu, linux]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---

# 10.5 Lock Inactive User Accounts (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1

## Description

User accounts that have been inactive for over a given period of time can be automatically disabled. It is recommended that accounts that are inactive for 35 or more days be disabled.

## Rationale

Inactive accounts pose a threat to system security since the users are not logging in to notice failed login attempts or other anomalies.

## Audit Procedure

### Using Command Line

```bash
useradd -D | grep INACTIVE
```

## Expected Result

```
INACTIVE=35
```

## Remediation

### Using Command Line

```bash
useradd -D -f 35
```

## Default Value

INACTIVE=-1 (disabled)

## References

- CIS Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server Benchmark v1.1.0

## Profile

Level 1 - Scored