AWSOverview
Password policies are, in part, used to enforce password complexity requirements. IAM password policies can be used to ensure password are comprised of different character sets. It is recommended that the password policy require at least one uppercase letter.
Rationale
Setting a password complexity policy increases account resiliency against brute force login attempts.
Remediation guidance
Perform the following to set the password policy as prescribed: Via AWS Console
Via AWS Console
- Login to
AWS Console(with appropriate permissions to View Identity Access Management Account Settings) - Go to
IAM Serviceon the AWS Console - Click on
Account Settingson the Left Pane - Check
Requires at least one uppercase letter - Click
Apply password policy
Via CLI
aws iam update-account-password-policy --require-uppercase-characters
Note: All commands starting with aws iam update-account-password-policy can be combined into a single command.
References
- CCE-78903-2
Multiple Remediation Paths
AWS
SERVICE-WIDE (RECOMMENDED when many resources are affected): Deploy centralized guardrails and remediation using AWS Config Conformance Packs and (if applicable) AWS Organizations SCPs.
aws configservice put-organization-conformance-pack --organization-conformance-pack-name <pack-name> --template-s3-uri s3://<bucket>/<template>.yaml
ASSET-LEVEL: Apply the resource-specific remediation steps above to only the affected assets.
PREVENTIVE: Add CI/CD policy checks (CloudFormation/Terraform validation) before deployment to prevent recurrence.
References for Service-Wide Patterns
- AWS Config Conformance Packs: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/config/latest/developerguide/conformance-packs.html
- AWS Organizations SCP examples: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/organizations/latest/userguide/orgs_manage_policies_scps_examples.html
Operational Rollout Workflow
Use this sequence to reduce risk and avoid repeated drift.
1. Contain at Service-Wide Scope First (Recommended)
- AWS: deploy/adjust organization conformance packs and policy guardrails.
aws configservice put-organization-conformance-pack --organization-conformance-pack-name <pack-name> --template-s3-uri s3://<bucket>/<template>.yaml
2. Remediate Existing Affected Assets
- Execute the control-specific Console/CLI steps documented above for each flagged resource.
- Prioritize internet-exposed and production assets first.
3. Validate and Prevent Recurrence
- Re-scan after each remediation batch.
- Track exceptions with owner and expiry date.
- Add preventive checks in IaC/CI pipelines.
Query logic
These are the stored checks tied to this control.
IAM password policy requires at least one uppercase letter
Connectors
Covered asset types
Expected check: eq []
iamPasswordPolicies(where:{requireUppercaseCharacters:false}){...AssetFragment}
