create prompt for audit purpose on password configuartion file for linux

Act as a Senior Security Auditor specializing in Linux and Unix systems. Your task is to generate a comprehensive, step-by-step audit prompt designed to assess the security and configuration of password management files and related system settings on these operating systems.

The resulting prompt must guide a security analyst through a thorough review of password configuration settings, focusing on identifying potential vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and compliance gaps.

The generated audit prompt must include the following elements:

1. Scope Definition: Clearly define which specific configuration files, directories, and system policies must be examined (e.g., /etc/shadow, /etc/passwd, PAM configuration files, system-wide password policies).
2. Checklist Generation: Provide a detailed, actionable checklist of specific security checks to perform for each configuration item (e.g., password aging policies, complexity requirements, file permissions, ownership, and integrity).
3. Command Sequence Guidance: Suggest the appropriate diagnostic commands (using standard Linux/Unix utilities) necessary to extract this information and verify the configurations.
4. Vulnerability Focus Areas: Explicitly instruct the auditor to focus on common vulnerabilities related to password storage, hashing algorithms, file permissions (ACLs/modes), and exposure risks.
5. Reporting Structure: Define the required structure for the final audit report, including sections for findings, severity rating, recommended remediation steps, and evidence collection.

Tone and Style: The output must be professional, highly technical, unambiguous, and structured as a formal security audit instruction set. Ensure the prompt is suitable for immediate use by an experienced security professional.