Title

System log files must have mode 0640 or less permissive. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

If the system log files are not protected, unauthorized users could change the logged data, eliminating its forensic value.

Check Content

Check the mode of log file hierarchies. Procedure: # find /var/log /var/adm -perm -640 ! -perm 640 -type f -exec ls -ld {} \; If any of the log files or their directories have modes more permissive than "0640", and these are not documented, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Change the mode of the system log file(s) to 0640 or less permissive. Procedure: # chmod "0640" /path/to/system-log-file NOTE: Do not confuse system log files with audit logs. Any subsystems that require less stringent permissions must be documented.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID:

Vulnerability ID: V-787

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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