cis-ubuntu1604-v200-4-1-1-3

name	cis-ubuntu1604-v200-4-1-1-3
description	Ensure auditing for processes that start prior to auditd is enabled
category	cis-logging
version	2.0.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","ubuntu","linux","ubuntu-16.04","auditd","logging"]
cis_id	4.1.1.3
cis_benchmark	CIS Ubuntu Linux 16.04 LTS Benchmark v2.0.0
tech_stack	["ubuntu","linux"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

CIS Ubuntu Linux 16.04 LTS Benchmark v2.0.0 - Control 4.1.1.3

Profile

• Level: 2 - Server
• Level: 2 - Workstation
• Assessment Status: Automated

Description

Configure grub so that processes that are capable of being audited can be audited even if they start up prior to auditd startup.

Note: This recommendation is designed around the grub bootloader, if LILO or another bootloader is in use in your environment enact equivalent settings. Replace /boot/grub/grub.cfg with the appropriate grub configuration file for your environment.

Rationale

Audit events need to be captured on processes that start up prior to auditd, so that potential malicious activity cannot go undetected.

Impact

None.

Audit Procedure

Command Line

Run the following command and verify that each linux line has the audit=1 parameter set:

grep "^\s*linux" /boot/grub/grub.cfg | grep -v "audit=1"

Expected Result

Nothing should be returned.

Remediation

Command Line

Edit /etc/default/grub and add audit=1 to GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="audit=1"

Run the following command to update the grub2 configuration:

update-grub

Default Value

By default, auditing is not enabled for processes that start prior to auditd.

References

1. CIS Ubuntu Linux 16.04 LTS Benchmark v2.0.0 - Section 4.1.1.3

CIS Controls

Controls Version	Control
v7	6.2 Activate audit logging - Ensure that local logging has been enabled on all systems and networking devices.
v7	6.3 Enable Detailed Logging - Enable system logging to include detailed information such as an event source, date, user, timestamp, source addresses, destination addresses, and other useful elements.