STIGhubSTIGhub
STIGsRMF ControlsCompare

STIGhub

A free tool to search and browse the entire DISA STIG library. Saves up to 75% in security compliance research time.

Navigation

  • Browse STIGs
  • Search
  • RMF Controls
  • Compare Versions

Resources

  • About
  • Release Notes
  • VPAT
  • DISA STIG Library
STIGs updated 5 hours ago
Powered by Pylon
© 2026 Beacon Cloud Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
← Back to Canonical Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide

V-238245

CAT II (Medium)

The Ubuntu operating system must be configured so that audit log files are not read or write-accessible by unauthorized users.

Rule ID

SV-238245r958434_rule

STIG

Canonical Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V2R4

CCIs

CCI-000162CCI-000163

Discussion

Unauthorized disclosure of audit records can reveal system and configuration data to attackers, thus compromising its confidentiality. Audit information includes all information (e.g., audit records, audit settings, audit reports) needed to successfully audit operating system activity. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027, SRG-OS-000058-GPOS-00028

Check Content

Verify that the audit log files have a mode of "0600" or less permissive. 
 
Determine where the audit logs are stored with the following command: 
 
$ sudo grep -iw log_file /etc/audit/auditd.conf 
log_file = /var/log/audit/audit.log 
 
Using the path of the directory containing the audit logs, determine if the audit log files have a mode of "0600" or less by using the following command: 
 
$ sudo stat -c "%n %a" /var/log/audit/* 
/var/log/audit/audit.log 600 
 
If the audit log files have a mode more permissive than "0600", this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the audit log files to have a mode of "0600" or less permissive. 
 
Determine where the audit logs are stored with the following command: 
 
$ sudo grep -iw log_file /etc/audit/auditd.conf 
log_file = /var/log/audit/audit.log 
 
Using the path of the directory containing the audit logs, configure the audit log files to have a mode of "0600" or less permissive by using the following command: 
 
$ sudo chmod 0600 /var/log/audit/*