V-253101

Discussion

Cron logging can be used to trace the successful or unsuccessful execution of cron jobs. It can also be used to spot intrusions into the use of the cron facility by unauthorized and malicious users.

Check Content

Verify that "rsyslog" is configured to log cron events with the following command:

Note: If another logging package is used, substitute the utility configuration file for "/etc/rsyslog.conf" or "/etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf" files.

$ sudo grep -r cron /etc/rsyslog.conf /etc/rsyslog.d

/etc/rsyslog.conf:*.info;mail.none;authpriv.none;cron.none                          /var/log/messages
/etc/rsyslog.conf:# Log cron stuff
/etc/rsyslog.conf:cron.*                                                                                                    /var/log/cron

If the command does not return a response, check for cron logging all facilities with the following command.

$ sudo grep -r /var/log/messages /etc/rsyslog.conf /etc/rsyslog.d

/etc/rsyslog.conf:*.info;mail.none;authpriv.none;cron.none                          /var/log/messages

If "rsyslog" is not logging messages for the cron facility or all facilities, this is a finding.