Error
Error Code:
412
SAP S/4HANA Error 412: Invalid Password Layout
Description
Error 412, ERR_SQL_INV_PASSWORD_LAYOUT, indicates that the password provided does not conform to the predefined security policies or layout rules in SAP S/4HANA. This typically occurs during user creation, password changes, or login attempts when the entered password violates system-enforced complexity, character, or pattern requirements.
Error Message
ERR_SQL_INV_PASSWORD_LAYOUT
Known Causes
3 known causesPassword Complexity Rules Not Met
The entered password does not meet the minimum length, required character types (e.g., uppercase, lowercase, numbers, special characters), or other complexity requirements defined by the system policy.
Restricted Characters Used
The password contains characters that are explicitly disallowed by the SAP S/4HANA password policy, such as certain symbols, whitespace, or non-alphanumeric characters.
Repetitive or Sequential Patterns
The password contains too many repeating characters (e.g., 'aaaa') or sequential characters (e.g., '12345'), violating specific layout rules designed to prevent easily guessable passwords.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Resetting the SAP System User Password medium
Directly reset the password for the affected SAP system user to comply with password policy.
1
Log in to your SAP S/4HANA system using an administrator user (e.g., SAP* or a user with SAP_ALL and SAP_NEW authorizations).
2
Navigate to transaction code SU01 (User Maintenance).
3
Enter the username of the user experiencing the 'Invalid Password Layout' error in the 'User' field and click 'Change'.
4
Go to the 'Logon Data' tab.
5
In the 'Password' section, click the 'Reset' button.
6
Enter a new password that adheres to the current system's password policy (e.g., length, character types). You will be prompted to confirm the new password.
7
Save the changes.
8
Inform the affected user of their new password and instruct them to change it upon their next login if the system policy requires it.
2. Reviewing and Adjusting System Password Policy advanced
Examine and potentially modify the global SAP system password policy to accommodate the user's desired password format.
1
Log in to your SAP S/4HANA system using an administrator user with sufficient authorizations (e.g., SAP_ALL and SAP_NEW).
2
Navigate to transaction code RZ11 (Parameter Maintenance).
3
Enter the profile parameter `login/password_expiration_time` and click 'Display'.
4
Review the current value. While not directly the cause of 'Invalid Password Layout', incorrect expiration settings can indirectly lead to users trying to circumvent policies.
5
Crucially, navigate to transaction code `S_BCE_67000022` (Change Password Policy).
6
Examine the 'Password Length', 'Password Complexity', and 'Password History' settings. The 'Invalid Password Layout' error specifically points to issues with the character types or structure of the password.
7
If the user's intended password does not meet these criteria, you have two options:
1. **Instruct the user to create a password that *does* meet the policy.**
2. **Adjust the password policy.** If adjusting the policy, consider the security implications. For example, if the user needs to use a password with specific characters not currently allowed, you might need to relax the complexity rules (e.g., allow more special characters) or provide clear guidance on what constitutes a valid password.
1. **Instruct the user to create a password that *does* meet the policy.**
2. **Adjust the password policy.** If adjusting the policy, consider the security implications. For example, if the user needs to use a password with specific characters not currently allowed, you might need to relax the complexity rules (e.g., allow more special characters) or provide clear guidance on what constitutes a valid password.
8
If you choose to adjust the policy, make the necessary changes and save them. Be aware that changes to global password policies affect all users.
9
After adjusting the policy, the user should attempt to set a password that now complies with the updated rules.
3. Verifying Database-Level Password Configuration (Less Common) advanced
Ensure that the underlying database (e.g., HANA) does not have conflicting or overly restrictive password policies that might be inherited.
1
Identify the underlying database system for your SAP S/4HANA installation (most commonly SAP HANA).
2
Connect to the SAP HANA database using a privileged user (e.g., SYSTEM or a user with `USER ADMIN` or `PASSWORD ADMIN` privileges).
3
Execute SQL queries to check the password policy settings. For SAP HANA, you can query the `USER_PARAMETERS` table or use SQL commands related to user management.
SELECT * FROM USER_PARAMETERS WHERE PARAMETER_NAME LIKE 'PASSWORD%';
SELECT * FROM USERS WHERE USER_NAME = '<SAP_USER>'; -- Replace <SAP_USER> with the affected SAP user4
Review the output for any parameters that might be overly restrictive or conflict with SAP's password policy. For instance, look for specific character requirements or length constraints at the database level.
5
If you find any conflicting or problematic database-level password configurations, adjust them according to SAP's recommended guidelines and security best practices. This might involve using `ALTER SYSTEM ALTER CONFIGURATION` for HANA.
ALTER SYSTEM ALTER CONFIGURATION ('passwordpolicy.ini', 'SYSTEM') SET ('password_min_length') = '8'; -- Example: Set minimum password length6
After making any necessary changes at the database level, restart the relevant SAP S/4HANA services or the entire system if required for the changes to take effect.
7
Have the user attempt to set their password again.