Audit log directory 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-90323r2_rule Audit log directory 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 log directory is owned by "root" to prevent unauthorized read access. 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 Determine the audit log directory by using the output of the above command (ex: "/var/log/audit/"). Run the following command with the correct audit log directory path: # sudo ls -ld /var/log/audit drwxr-x--- 2 root root 8096 Jun 26 11:56 /var/log/audit If the audit log directory 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_directory] Replace "[audit_log_directory]" with the correct audit log directory path, by default this location is usually "/var/log/audit".

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