cis-ubuntu1804-v220-5-2-2-2

skill_id	cis-ubuntu1804-v220-5-2-2-2
name	cis-ubuntu1804-v220-5-2-2-2
description	Configure auditd to keep audit logs and never delete them automatically
version	2.2.0
category	cis-logging
tags	["cis","ubuntu","linux","ubuntu-18.04","auditing","auditd"]
profile_applicability	["Level 2 - Server","Level 2 - Workstation"]
severity_boost	{}

CIS Ubuntu Linux 18.04 LTS Benchmark v2.2.0

Control 5.2.2.2 - Ensure audit logs are not automatically deleted (Automated)

Profile Applicability

• Level 2 - Server
• Level 2 - Workstation

Description

The max_log_file_action setting determines how to handle the audit log file reaching the max file size. A value of keep_logs will rotate the logs but never delete old logs.

Rationale

In high security contexts, the benefits of maintaining a long audit history exceed the cost of storing the audit history.

Audit

Run the following command and verify output matches:

grep max_log_file_action /etc/audit/auditd.conf

Expected Output:

max_log_file_action = keep_logs

Remediation

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

max_log_file_action = keep_logs

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: AU-8

CIS Controls

• v8 8.3 Ensure Adequate Audit Log Storage - Ensure that logging destinations maintain adequate storage to comply with the enterprise's audit log management process.
• v7 6.4 Ensure adequate storage for logs - Ensure that all systems that store logs have adequate storage space for the logs generated.

MITRE ATT&CK Mappings

• Techniques: T1562, T1562.006
• Tactics: TA0040 (Impact)
• Mitigations: M1047 (Audit)

Benchmark

CIS Ubuntu Linux 18.04 LTS Benchmark v2.2.0

Automation Status

Automated