Title

The Manage auditing and security log user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high level capabilities. Accounts with the "Manage auditing and security log" user right can manage the security log and change auditing configurations. This could be used to clear evidence of tampering.

Check Content

Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor. Run "gpedit.msc". Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment. If any groups or accounts other than the following are granted the "Manage auditing and security log" user right, this is a finding: Administrators If the organization has an "Auditors" group the assignment of this group to the user right would not be a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment >> "Manage auditing and security log" to only include the following groups or accounts: Administrators

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-220978r958434_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-220978

Group Title: SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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