Ensure auditing for processes that start prior to auditd is enabled
Scanned 9/3/2026
Install to Claude Code
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---
name: cis-ubuntu1604-v200-4-1-1-3
description: "Ensure auditing for processes that start prior to auditd is enabled"
category: cis-logging
version: "2.0.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, ubuntu, linux, ubuntu-16.04, auditd, logging]
cis_id: "4.1.1.3"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Ubuntu Linux 16.04 LTS Benchmark v2.0.0"
tech_stack: [ubuntu, linux]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---
# CIS Ubuntu Linux 16.04 LTS Benchmark v2.0.0 - Control 4.1.1.3
## Profile
- **Level:** 2 - Server
- **Level:** 2 - Workstation
- **Assessment Status:** Automated
## Description
Configure grub so that processes that are capable of being audited can be audited even if they start up prior to auditd startup.
**Note:** This recommendation is designed around the grub bootloader, if LILO or another bootloader is in use in your environment enact equivalent settings. Replace `/boot/grub/grub.cfg` with the appropriate grub configuration file for your environment.
## Rationale
Audit events need to be captured on processes that start up prior to auditd, so that potential malicious activity cannot go undetected.
## Impact
None.
## Audit Procedure
### Command Line
Run the following command and verify that each linux line has the `audit=1` parameter set:
```bash
grep "^\s*linux" /boot/grub/grub.cfg | grep -v "audit=1"
```
## Expected Result
Nothing should be returned.
## Remediation
### Command Line
Edit `/etc/default/grub` and add `audit=1` to `GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX`:
```bash
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="audit=1"
```
Run the following command to update the grub2 configuration:
```bash
update-grub
```
## Default Value
By default, auditing is not enabled for processes that start prior to auditd.
## References
1. CIS Ubuntu Linux 16.04 LTS Benchmark v2.0.0 - Section 4.1.1.3
## CIS Controls
| Controls Version | Control |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| v7 | 6.2 Activate audit logging - Ensure that local logging has been enabled on all systems and networking devices. |
| v7 | 6.3 Enable Detailed Logging - Enable system logging to include detailed information such as an event source, date, user, timestamp, source addresses, destination addresses, and other useful elements. |

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