Title

The Juniper router must be configured to automatically audit account enabling actions. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Once an attacker establishes initial access to a system, the attacker often attempts to create a persistent method of reestablishing access. One way to accomplish this is for the attacker to simply enable a new or disabled account. Notification of account enabling is one method for mitigating this risk. A comprehensive account management process will ensure an audit trail which documents the creation of application user accounts and notifies administrators and Information System Security Officers (ISSO). Such a process greatly reduces the risk that accounts will be surreptitiously created and provides logging that can be used for forensic purposes.

Check Content

Review the router configuration to determine if it audits the enabling of accounts. This requirement can be met by ensuring that configuration changes are logged as shown in the following example: system { syslog { file LOG_FILE { change-log info; } } } Note: The parameter “any” can be in place of “change-log” as this will log everything. Also, a syslog server can be configured in addition to or in lieu of logging to a file as shown in the example below. system { syslog { host 10.1.58.2 { any info; } file LOG_FILE { change-log info; } console { any error; } } } If the enabling of accounts is not audited, this is a finding. Note: Accounts can be disabled by changing the assigned class to unauthorized (no permissions). Hence, accounts can be enabled by changing the assigned class for the user to a class other than unauthorized.

Fix Text

Configure the router to audit the enabling of accounts. This requirement can be met by ensuring that configuration changes are logged as shown in the following example: set syslog file LOG_FILE change-log info Note: The parameter “any” can be in place of “change-log” as this will log everything. Also, a syslog server can be configured in addition to or in lieu of logging to a file as shown in the example below. set syslog host 10.1.58.2 any info Note: Accounts can be disabled by changing the assigned class to unauthorized (no permissions). Hence, accounts can be enabled by changing the assigned class for the user to a class other than unauthorized.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-217329r879696_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-217329

Group Title: SRG-APP-000319-NDM-000283

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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