5.2.5 Ensure SSH MaxAuthTries is set to 4 or less (Scored)

Level 1 - Server
Level 1 - Workstation 

The MaxAuthTries parameter specifies the maximum number of authentication attempts permitted per connection. When the login failure count reaches half the number, error messages will be written to the syslog file detailing the login failure.

Setting the MaxAuthTries parameter to a low number will minimize the risk of successful brute force attacks to the SSH server. While the recommended setting is 4, set the number based on site policy.

Run the following command and verify that output MaxAuthTries is 4 or less:

# grep "^MaxAuthTries" /etc/ssh/sshd_config 
MaxAuthTries 4

Edit the /etc/ssh/sshd_config file to set the parameter as follows:

MaxAuthTries 4