The Ubuntu operating system must configure /var/log/syslog file with mode 0640 or less permissive.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-238343	UBTU-20-010422	SV-238343r654204_rule		Medium

Description

Only authorized personnel should be aware of errors and the details of the errors. Error messages are an indicator of an organization's operational state or can identify the operating system or platform. Additionally, Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and operational information must not be revealed through error messages to unauthorized personnel or their designated representatives. The structure and content of error messages must be carefully considered by the organization and development team. The extent to which the information system is able to identify and handle error conditions is guided by organizational policy and operational requirements.

STIG	Date
Canonical Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide	2022-09-07

Details

Check Text ( C-41553r654202_chk )
Verify that the Ubuntu operating system configures the "/var/log/syslog" file with mode 0640 or less permissive by running the following command: $ sudo stat -c "%n %a" /var/log/syslog /var/log/syslog 640 If a value of "640" or less permissive is not returned, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-41512r654203_fix)
Configure the Ubuntu operating system to have permissions of 0640 for the "/var/log/syslog" file by running the following command: $ sudo chmod 0640 /var/log/syslog