Audit log directory must be group-owned by root to prevent unauthorized read access.

From Canonical Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide

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

SV-90325r2_rule Audit log directory must be group-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 group-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 group-owned by "root", this is a finding.

Fix text

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

Pro Tips

Lavender hyperlinks in small type off to the right (of CSS class id, if you view the page source) point to globally unique URIs for each document and item. Copy the link location and paste anywhere you need to talk unambiguously about these things.

You can obtain data about documents and items in other formats. Simply provide an HTTP header Accept: text/turtle or Accept: application/rdf+xml.