Cis Ubuntu1804 V220 5 2 4 6

---
name: cis-ubuntu1804-v220-5-2-4-6
description:
version: "2.2.0"
category: cis-logging
tags: [cis, ubuntu, linux, ubuntu-18.04, auditing, auditd]
author: CIS Benchmarks
target:
  platform: linux
  version: "18.04"
severity_boost: {}
---

# 5.2.4.6 Ensure audit configuration files are owned by root

## Description

Audit configuration files control auditd and what events are audited.

## Rationale

Access to the audit configuration files could allow unauthorized personnel to prevent the auditing of critical events.

Misconfigured audit configuration files may prevent the auditing of critical events or impact the system's performance by overwhelming the audit log. Misconfiguration of the audit configuration files may also make it more difficult to establish and investigate events relating to an incident.

## Audit

Run the following command to verify that the audit configuration files have mode 640 or more restrictive and are owned by the root user and root group:

```bash
find /etc/audit/ -type f \( -name '*.conf' -o -name '*.rules' \) ! -user root
```

**Expected result:** Nothing should be returned

## Remediation

Run the following command to change ownership to root user:

```bash
find /etc/audit/ -type f \( -name '*.conf' -o -name '*.rules' \) ! -user root -exec chown root {} +
```

## References

1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: AU-3

## Metadata

- **Profile Applicability:** Level 2 - Server, Level 2 - Workstation
- **Category:** cis-logging
- **Tags:** cis, ubuntu, linux, ubuntu-18.04, auditing, auditd
- **Version:** 2.2.0
- **Severity Boost:** {}
- **Automated:** Yes
- **CIS Controls:**
  - v8: 3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists
  - v7: 14.6 Protect Information through Access Control Lists
- **MITRE ATT&CK:**
  - Tactics: TA0007 (Discovery)
  - Techniques: T1070, T1070.002, T1083, T1083.000
  - Mitigations: M1047 (Audit)