Title

The Tomcat server must protect log tools from unauthorized modification. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Protecting log data also includes identifying and protecting the tools used to view and manipulate log data. Depending upon the log format and application, system and application log tools may provide the only means to manipulate and manage application and system log data. It is, therefore, imperative that access to log tools be controlled and protected from unauthorized modification. If an attacker were to modify log tools, he could also manipulate logs to hide evidence of malicious activity. Application servers provide a web- and/or a command line-based management functionality for managing the application server log capabilities. In addition, subsets of log tool components may be stored on the file system as jar or xml configuration files. The application server must ensure that in addition to protecting any web-based log tools, any file system-based tools are protected as well.

Check Content

Check the permissions on all log files in CATALINE_HOME/logs: The permissions should be 640 or less permissive. If they are more permissive, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the application server or the OS to protect log tools from unauthorized modification.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-46501r3_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-35214

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.