cracklib
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Description:
LibCrack password checking library
Type: Formula  |  Latest Version: 2.10.3@0  |  Tracked Since: Dec 17, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Security
Tags: security password authentication library c-library
Install: brew install cracklib
About:
CrackLib is a C library designed to enforce strong password policies by checking passwords against a dictionary of common and insecure words. It provides a robust API for developers to integrate password strength validation directly into their applications, preventing users from choosing easily guessable credentials.
Key Features:
  • Dictionary-based password strength checking
  • C library with bindings for multiple languages
  • Configurable password policy enforcement
  • Efficient and fast lookups
Use Cases:
  • Enforcing password policies in custom authentication systems
  • Building command-line password quality checkers
  • Integrating into system utilities like pam_cracklib
Alternatives:
  • pam_pwquality – A PAM module that provides similar functionality, often using cracklib as a backend
  • zxcvbn – An entropy-based password strength estimator, often used in web applications for more nuanced feedback
License: LGPL-2.1-only
Bottles available for: arm64_tahoe, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_ventura, sonoma, ventura, arm64_linux, x86_64_linux
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Aug 4, 2024 4:30am 0 VERSION_BUMP 7a7970b1
Apr 3, 2023 4:29pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 2dbb6f96
Apr 3, 2023 7:29am 0 VERSION_BUMP f05f0e20
Mar 16, 2023 4:17pm 0 VERSION_BUMP f5f73a6d
Mar 16, 2023 4:17pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 4a14e896