The macOS system must be configured so that log files must not contain access control lists (ACLs).

From Apple OS X 10.13 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000162

SV-96265r1_rule The macOS system must be configured so that log files must not contain access control lists (ACLs).

Vulnerability discussion

The audit service must be configured to create log files with the correct permissions to prevent regular users from reading audit logs. Audit logs contain sensitive data about the system and users. If log files are set to be readable and writable only by root or administrative users with sudo, the risk is mitigated.

Check content

To check if a log file contains ACLs, run the following commands: /usr/bin/sudo ls -le $(/usr/bin/sudo /usr/bin/grep '^dir' /etc/security/audit_control | awk -F: '{print $2}') | /usr/bin/grep -v current In the output from the above commands, ACLs will be listed under any file that may contain them (e.g., "0: group:admin allow list,readattr,reaadextattr,readsecurity"). If any such line exists, this is a finding.

Fix text

For any log file that contains ACLs, run the following command: /usr/bin/sudo chmod -N [audit log file]

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