Title

The application server must protect log information from any type of unauthorized read access. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

If log data were to become compromised, then competent forensic analysis and discovery of the true source of potentially malicious system activity is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. In addition, access to log records provides information an attacker could potentially use to his or her advantage. Application servers contain admin interfaces that allow reading and manipulation of log records. Therefore, these interfaces should not allow unfettered access to those records. Application servers also write log data to log files which are stored on the OS, so appropriate file permissions must also be used to restrict access. Log information includes all information (e.g., log records, log settings, transaction logs, and log reports) needed to successfully log information system activity. Application servers must protect log information from unauthorized read access.

Check Content

Review the configuration settings to determine if the application server log features protect log information from unauthorized access. Review file system settings to verify the application server sets secure file permissions on log files. If the application server does not protect log information from unauthorized read access, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the application server to protect log information from unauthorized read access.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-204732r879576_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-204732

Group Title: SRG-APP-000118

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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