The Apache web server must produce log records containing sufficient information to establish what type of events occurred.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-214279	AS24-U2-000090	SV-214279r881469_rule		Medium

Description
Apache web server logging capability is critical for accurate forensic analysis. Without sufficient and accurate information, a correct replay of the events cannot be determined. Ascertaining the correct type of event that occurred is important during forensic analysis. The correct determination of the event and when it occurred is important in relation to other events that happened at that same time. Without sufficient information establishing what type of log event occurred, investigation into the cause of event is severely hindered. Log record content that may be necessary to satisfy the requirement of this control includes but is not limited to time stamps, source and destination IP addresses, user/process identifiers, event descriptions, application-specific events, success/fail indications, file names involved, access control, and flow control rules invoked.

Description

Apache web server logging capability is critical for accurate forensic analysis. Without sufficient and accurate information, a correct replay of the events cannot be determined. Ascertaining the correct type of event that occurred is important during forensic analysis. The correct determination of the event and when it occurred is important in relation to other events that happened at that same time. Without sufficient information establishing what type of log event occurred, investigation into the cause of event is severely hindered. Log record content that may be necessary to satisfy the requirement of this control includes but is not limited to time stamps, source and destination IP addresses, user/process identifiers, event descriptions, application-specific events, success/fail indications, file names involved, access control, and flow control rules invoked.

STIG	Date
Apache Server 2.4 UNIX Site Security Technical Implementation Guide	2023-06-06

Details

Check Text ( C-15492r881467_chk )
In a command line, run "httpd -M \| grep -i log_config_module". If the "log_config_module" is not enabled, this is a finding. Determine the location of the "HTTPD_ROOT" directory and the "httpd.conf" file: # apachectl -V \| egrep -i 'httpd_root\|server_config_file' -D HTTPD_ROOT="/etc/httpd" -D SERVER_CONFIG_FILE="conf/httpd.conf" Note: The apachectl front end is the preferred method for locating the Apache httpd file. For some Linux distributions "apache2ctl -V" or "httpd -V" can also be used. Search for the directive "LogFormat" in the httpd.conf file: # cat //httpd.conf \| grep -i "LogFormat" If the "LogFormat" directive is missing or does not look like the following, this is a finding: LogFormat "%a %A %h %H %l %m %s %t %u %U \"%{Referer}i\" " common

Check Text ( C-15492r881467_chk )

In a command line, run "httpd -M | grep -i log_config_module".

If the "log_config_module" is not enabled, this is a finding.

Determine the location of the "HTTPD_ROOT" directory and the "httpd.conf" file:

# apachectl -V | egrep -i 'httpd_root|server_config_file'
-D HTTPD_ROOT="/etc/httpd"
-D SERVER_CONFIG_FILE="conf/httpd.conf"

Note: The apachectl front end is the preferred method for locating the Apache httpd file. For some Linux distributions "apache2ctl -V" or "httpd -V" can also be used.

Search for the directive "LogFormat" in the httpd.conf file:

# cat //httpd.conf | grep -i "LogFormat"

If the "LogFormat" directive is missing or does not look like the following, this is a finding:

LogFormat "%a %A %h %H %l %m %s %t %u %U \"%{Referer}i\" " common

Fix Text (F-15490r881468_fix)
Determine the location of the "HTTPD_ROOT" directory and the "httpd.conf" file: # apachectl -V \| egrep -i 'httpd_root\|server_config_file' -D HTTPD_ROOT="/etc/httpd" -D SERVER_CONFIG_FILE="conf/httpd.conf" Uncomment the "log_config_module" module line. Configure the "LogFormat" in the "httpd.conf" file to look like the following: LogFormat "%a %A %h %H %l %m %s %t %u %U \"%{Referer}i\" " common Restart Apache: apachectl restart Note: The log format may be using different variables based on the environment; however, it should be verified to ensure it is producing the same end result of logged elements.

Fix Text (F-15490r881468_fix)

Determine the location of the "HTTPD_ROOT" directory and the "httpd.conf" file:

# apachectl -V | egrep -i 'httpd_root|server_config_file'
-D HTTPD_ROOT="/etc/httpd"
-D SERVER_CONFIG_FILE="conf/httpd.conf"

Uncomment the "log_config_module" module line.

Configure the "LogFormat" in the "httpd.conf" file to look like the following:

LogFormat "%a %A %h %H %l %m %s %t %u %U \"%{Referer}i\" " common

Restart Apache: apachectl restart

Note: The log format may be using different variables based on the environment; however, it should be verified to ensure it is producing the same end result of logged elements.