Ensure that logging is enabled
Scanned 5/30/2026
Install via CLI
openskills install CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike---
name: cis-cassandra311-4.1
description: "Ensure that logging is enabled"
category: cis-cassandra
version: "1.1.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, cassandra, auditing, logging]
cis_id: "4.1"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Apache Cassandra 3.11 Benchmark v1.1.0"
tech_stack: [cassandra]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---
# 4.1 Ensure that logging is enabled
## Profile Applicability
- Level 1 - Cassandra
- Level 2 - Cassandra
- Level 1 - Cassandra on Linux
- Level 2 - Cassandra on Linux
## Description
Apache Cassandra uses Logback for logging functionality. While this can be set using nodetool setlogginglevel changes made using this method will be reverted to the level specified in the logback.xml file the next time the process restarts.
The configurable logging levels are:
- OFF
- TRACE
- DEBUG
- INFO (Default)
- WARN
- ERROR
## Rationale
If logging is not enabled, issues may go undiscovered, and compromises and other incidents may occur without being quickly detected. It may also not be possible to provide evidence of compliance with security laws, regulations, and other requirements.
## Audit
Execute the following command to confirm the setting is correct:
```bash
$ nodetool getlogginglevels
Logger Name Log Level
ROOT INFO
org.clsecurity.workbench WARN
```
If set to OFF then this is a finding.
## Remediation
To remediate this setting:
1. Edit the logback-test.xml if present; otherwise, edit the logback.xml
```xml
<configuration scan="true">
<appender name="STDOUT"
class="ch.qos.logback.core.ConsoleAppender">
<filter class="ch.qos.logback.classic.filter.ThresholdFilter">
<level>INFO</level>
</filter>
<encoder>
<pattern>%-5level [%thread] %date{ISO8601} %F:%L -
%msg%n</pattern>
</encoder>
</appender>
<root level="INFO">
<appender-ref ref="STDOUT" />
</root>
<logger name="org.clsecurity.workbench" level="WARN"/>
</configuration>
```
2. Restart the Apache Cassandra
## Default Value
```
INFO
```
## References
1. http://cassandra.apache.org/doc/latest/troubleshooting/reading_logs.html?highlig ht=logging
2. https://logback.qos.ch/manual/configuration.html
## CIS Controls
- v8: 8.5 Collect Detailed Audit Logs
- v7: 6.3 Enable Detailed Logging
## Profile
- Level 1 | Automated
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