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V-238246

CAT II (Medium)

The Ubuntu operating system must be configured to permit only authorized users ownership of the audit log files.

Rule ID

SV-238246r958434_rule

STIG

Canonical Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V2R4

CCIs

CCI-000162

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 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 files are owned by "root" account. 
 
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 path of the directory containing the audit logs, determine if the audit log files are owned by the "root" user by using the following command: 
 
$ sudo stat -c "%n %U" /var/log/audit/* 
/var/log/audit/audit.log root 
 
If the audit log files are owned by an user other than "root", this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the audit log directory and its underlying files to be owned by "root" user. 
 
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 path of the directory containing the audit logs, configure the audit log files to be owned by "root" user by using the following command: 
 
$ sudo chown root /var/log/audit/*