> Source: [sk183592](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk183592)

# sk183592 - User-Based Policy Configuration using 'chage' command not working on Gaia

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk183592 |
| Date Created | 2025-06-24 |
| Last Modified | 2025-06-25 |
| Technical Level | Advanced |
| Products | Security Gateway, Security Management Server |
| Versions | R82.10, R82, R81.20, R81.10 (EOS), R82.10, R82, R81.20, R81.10 (EOS) |
| OS | Gaia |

## Symptoms

- * 'chage' command fails to enforce user policy on Gateway.
* User policy settings with 'chage' are not applied on Gateway/MGMT server.

## Cause

The Gaia database maintains a global password policy, which applies to all users, not per user. The configuration set using the `chage` command is overridden when applying the Gaia password policy, rebooting the machine, or triggering a Gaia DB update.

Changes made using the `chage` command are written to `/etc/shadow`. However, these settings are not synchronized with the Gaia DB. Any action that updates the Gaia DB (such as applying policy or rebooting) causes the `/etc/shadow` file to be re-populated with the Gaia DB values, effectively overwriting the `chage` settings.

## Solution

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