diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index d9554ac968..8c9a208f3d 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@
         <wiremock.version>2.27.2</wiremock.version>
         <xml-resolver.version>1.2</xml-resolver.version>
         <xstream.version>1.4.5</xstream.version> <!-- do not update necessary for lesson -->
-        <zxcvbn.version>1.5.2</zxcvbn.version>
+        <zxcvbn.version>1.7.0</zxcvbn.version>
     </properties>
 
     <dependencyManagement>
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@
                                     <goal>start</goal>
                                 </goals>
                                 <configuration>
-                                    <workingDir></workingDir>
+                                    <workingDir/>
                                     <arguments>
                                         <argument>java</argument>
                                         <argument>-jar</argument>