Audit logs must be owned by root to prevent unauthorized read access.

From Canonical Ubuntu 16.04 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000162 CCI-000163 CCI-000164

SV-90319r2_rule Audit logs must be owned by root to prevent unauthorized read access.

Vulnerability discussion

Unauthorized disclosure of audit records can reveal system and configuration data to attackers, thus compromising its confidentiality.Audit information includes all information (e.g., audit records, audit settings, audit reports) needed to successfully audit Ubuntu operating system activity.Satisfies: SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027, SRG-OS-000058-GPOS-00028, SRG-OS-000059-GPOS-00029

Check content

Verify the audit logs are owned by "root". First determine where the audit logs are stored with the following command: # sudo grep -iw log_file /etc/audit/auditd.conf log_file = /var/log/audit/audit.log Using the location of the audit log file, determine if the audit log is owned by "root" using the following command: # sudo ls -la /var/log/audit/audit.log rw------- 2 root root 8096 Jun 26 11:56 /var/log/audit/audit.log If the audit log is not owned by "root", this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure the audit log to be protected from unauthorized read access, by setting the correct owner as "root" with the following command: # sudo chown root [audit_log_file] Replace "[audit_log_file]" to the correct audit log path, by default this location is "/var/log/audit/audit.log".

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