cis-ubuntu2004-v300-6-2-2-2

name	cis-ubuntu2004-v300-6-2-2-2
description	Ensure journald ForwardToSyslog is disabled
category	cis-logging
version	3.0.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","ubuntu","linux","ubuntu-20.04","journald"]
cis_id	6.2.2.2
cis_benchmark	CIS Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS Benchmark v3.0.0
tech_stack	["ubuntu","linux"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

6.2.2.2 Ensure journald ForwardToSyslog is disabled (Automated)

Profile

• Level 1 - Server
• Level 1 - Workstation

Description

Data from journald should be kept in the confines of the service and not forwarded to other services.

Rationale

• IF - journald is the method for capturing logs, all logs of the system should be handled by journald and not forwarded to other logging mechanisms.

Note: This recommendation only applies if journald is the chosen method for client side logging. Do not apply this recommendation if rsyslog is used.

Audit Procedure

Command Line

• IF - journald is the method for capturing logs

Run the following command to verify ForwardToSyslog is set to no:

# grep -Psi "^ForwardToSyslog=no" /etc/systemd/journald.conf /etc/systemd/journald.conf.d/*

Expected Result

ForwardToSyslog=no

Remediation

Command Line

• IF - rsyslog is the preferred method for capturing logs, this section and Recommendation should be skipped and the "Configure rsyslog" section followed.
• IF - journald is the preferred method for capturing logs:

Set the following parameter in the [Journal] section in /etc/systemd/journald.conf or a file in /etc/systemd/journald.conf.d/ ending in .conf:

ForwardToSyslog=no

Note: If this setting appears in a canonically later file, or later in the same file, the setting will be overwritten.

Run to following command to update the parameters in the service:

# systemctl reload-or-restart systemd-journald

Default Value

ForwardToSyslog=no

References

1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: AU-2, AU-6, AU-7, AU-12

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