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System log files must have mode 0640 or less permissive.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-787 GEN001260 SV-37228r2_rule ECTP-1 Medium
Description
If the system log files are not protected, unauthorized users could change the logged data, eliminating its forensic value.
STIG Date
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2015-03-12

Details

Check Text ( C-35918r3_chk )
Check the mode of log files.

Procedure:
# find /var/log /var/log/syslog /var/adm -type f -perm -640 \! -perm 640

With the exception of /var/log/wtmp, if any of the log files have modes more permissive than 0640, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-31175r1_fix)
Change the mode of the system log file(s) to 0640 or less permissive.

Procedure:
# chmod 0640 /path/to/system-log-file

Note: Do not confuse system log files with audit logs.