cis-ubuntu1204-v110-8-2-5

name	cis-ubuntu1204-v110-8-2-5
description	Configure rsyslog to Send Logs to a Remote Log Host
category	cis-os-hardening
version	1.1.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","ubuntu",12.04,"linux","logging","rsyslog","remote-logging","centralized-logging"]
cis_id	8.2.5
cis_benchmark	CIS Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server Benchmark v1.1.0
tech_stack	["ubuntu","linux"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

8.2.5 Configure rsyslog to Send Logs to a Remote Log Host (Scored)

Profile Applicability

• Level 1

Description

The rsyslog utility supports the ability to send logs it gathers to a remote log host running syslogd(8) or to receive messages from remote hosts, reducing administrative overhead.

Rationale

Storing log data on a remote host protects log integrity from local attacks. If an attacker gains root access on the local system, they could tamper with or remove log data that is stored on the local system.

Audit Procedure

Using Command Line

Review the /etc/rsyslog.conf file and verify that logs are sent to a central host (where loghost.example.com is the name of your central log host):

grep "^\*\.\*[^I][^I]*@" /etc/rsyslog.conf

Expected Result

*.* @@loghost.example.com

Remediation

Using Command Line

Edit the /etc/rsyslog.conf file and add the following line (where loghost.example.com is the name of your central log host):

*.* @@loghost.example.com

Execute the following command to restart rsyslogd:

pkill -HUP rsyslogd

Note: The double "at" sign (@@) directs rsyslog to use TCP to send log messages to the server, which is a more reliable transport mechanism than the default UDP protocol.

Default Value

By default, rsyslog does not send logs to a remote host.

References

• CIS Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server Benchmark v1.1.0
• See the rsyslog.conf(5) man page for more information.

Profile

Level 1 - Scored