Cis Ubuntu2004 V300 6 2 2 4

---
name: cis-ubuntu2004-v300-6-2-2-4
description: "Ensure journald Storage is configured"
category: cis-logging
version: "3.0.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, ubuntu, linux, ubuntu-20.04, journald]
cis_id: "6.2.2.4"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS Benchmark v3.0.0"
tech_stack: [ubuntu, linux]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---

# 6.2.2.4 Ensure journald Storage is configured (Automated)

## Profile

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

Data from journald may be stored in volatile memory or persisted locally on the server. Logs in memory will be lost upon a system reboot. By persisting logs to local disk on the server they are protected from loss due to a reboot.

## Rationale

Writing log data to disk will provide the ability to forensically reconstruct events which may have impacted the operations or security of a system even after a system crash or reboot.

Note: This recommendation only applies if `journald` is the chosen method for client side logging. Do not apply this recommendation if `rsyslog` is used.

## Audit Procedure

### Command Line

- IF - `journald` is the method for capturing logs

Run the following script to verify `Storage` is set to `persistent`:

```bash
# grep -Psi "^Storage=persistent" /etc/systemd/journald.conf /etc/systemd/journald.conf.d/*
```

## Expected Result

```
Storage=persistent
```

## Remediation

### Command Line

- IF - `rsyslog` is the preferred method for capturing logs, this section and Recommendation should be skipped and the "Configure rsyslog" section followed.
- IF - `journald` is the preferred method for capturing logs:

Set the following parameter in the `[Journal]` section in `/etc/systemd/journald.conf` or a file in `/etc/systemd/journald.conf.d/` ending in `.conf`:

```ini
Storage=persistent
```

Note: If this setting appears in a canonically later file, or later in the same file, the setting will be overwritten.

Run to following command to update the parameters in the service:

```bash
# systemctl reload-or-restart systemd-journald
```

## Default Value

Storage=persistent

## References

1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: AU-3, AU-12

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                     | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | --------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 8.2 Collect Audit Logs      |      |      |      |
| v7               | 6.2 Activate audit logging  |      |      |      |
| v7               | 6.3 Enable Detailed Logging |      |      |      |

### MITRE ATT&CK Mappings

| Techniques / Sub-techniques        | Tactics | Mitigations |
| ---------------------------------- | ------- | ----------- |
| T1070, T1070.002, T1562, T1562.006 | TA0005  | M1022       |