TOSS 5 audit logs file must have mode 0600 or less permissive to prevent unauthorized access to the audit log.

Only authorized personnel should be aware of errors and the details of the errors. Error messages are an indicator of an organization's operational state or can identify the TOSS 5 system or platform. Additionally, Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and operational information must not be revealed through error messages to unauthorized personnel or their designated representatives.

The structure and content of error messages must be carefully considered by the organization and development team. The extent to which the information system is able to identify and handle error conditions is guided by organizational policy and operational requirements.

Satisfies: SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027, SRG-OS-000058-GPOS-00028, SRG-OS-000059-GPOS-00029, SRG-OS-000206-GPOS-00084

Verify the audit logs have a mode of "0600".

Determine where the audit logs are stored using 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 files as a mode of "0640" using the following command:

$ sudo ls -la /var/log/audit/*.log

rw-------. 2 root root 237923 Jun 11 11:56 /var/log/audit/audit.log

If the audit logs have a mode more permissive than "0600", this is a finding.

Configure the audit logs to have a mode of "0600" using the following command:

Replace "[audit_log_file]" to the correct audit log path, by default this location is "/var/log/audit/audit.log".

$ sudo chmod 0600 /var/log/audit/[audit_log_file]

Check the group that owns the system audit logs:

$ sudo grep -m 1 -q ^log_group /etc/audit/auditd.conf

If the "log_group" is not defined or it is set to "root", configure the permissions as follows:

$ sudo chmod 0640 $log_file
$ sudo chmod 0440 $log_file.*

Otherwise, configure the permissions as follows:

$ sudo chmod 0600 $log_file
$ sudo chmod 0400 $log_file.*