Title

Cron logging must be implemented. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Cron logging can be used to trace the successful or unsuccessful execution of cron jobs. It can also be used to spot intrusions into the use of the cron facility by unauthorized and malicious users.

Check Content

By default, rsyslog includes configuration files found in the /etc/rsyslog.d directory. Check for the include directive” $IncludeConfig /etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf” in /etc/rsyslog.conf and then for the cron log configuration file. # grep rsyslog.d /etc/rsyslog.conf # grep cron /etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf OR # grep cron /etc/rsyslog.conf If cron logging is not configured, this is a finding. Check the configured cron log file found in the cron entry of /etc/syslog (normally /var/log/cron). # ls -lL /var/log/cron If this file does not exist, or is older than the last cron job, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Edit or create /etc/rsyslog.d/cron.conf and setup cron logging.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-45615r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-982

Group Title: GEN003160

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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