cis-ubuntu1604-v200-4-1-2-3

name	cis-ubuntu1604-v200-4-1-2-3
description	Ensure system is disabled when audit logs are full
category	cis-logging
version	2.0.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","ubuntu","linux","ubuntu-16.04","auditd","logging"]
cis_id	4.1.2.3
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 4.1.2.3

Profile

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

Description

The auditd daemon can be configured to halt the system when the audit logs are full.

Rationale

In high security contexts, the risk of detecting unauthorized access or nonrepudiation exceeds the benefit of the system's availability.

Impact

If the system is configured to halt when audit logs are full, the system will stop when disk space is exhausted for audit logs.

Audit Procedure

Command Line

Run the following commands and verify output matches:

grep space_left_action /etc/audit/auditd.conf

grep action_mail_acct /etc/audit/auditd.conf

grep admin_space_left_action /etc/audit/auditd.conf

Expected Result

space_left_action = email
action_mail_acct = root
admin_space_left_action = halt

Remediation

Command Line

Set the following parameters in /etc/audit/auditd.conf:

space_left_action = email
action_mail_acct = root
admin_space_left_action = halt

Default Value

By default, auditd does not halt the system when logs are full.

References

1. CIS Ubuntu Linux 16.04 LTS Benchmark v2.0.0 - Section 4.1.2.3

CIS Controls

Controls Version	Control
v7	6.4 Ensure adequate storage for logs - Ensure that all systems that store logs have adequate storage space for the logs generated.