Ensure session initiation information is collected
Scanned 5/30/2026
Install via CLI
openskills install CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike---
name: cis-ubuntu2004-v300-6-3-3-11
description: "Ensure session initiation information is collected"
category: cis-logging
version: "3.0.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, ubuntu, linux, ubuntu-20.04, auditing, auditd]
cis_id: "6.3.3.11"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS Benchmark v3.0.0"
tech_stack: [ubuntu, linux]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---
# 6.3.3.11 Ensure session initiation information is collected (Automated)
## Profile
- Level 2 - Server
- Level 2 - Workstation
## Description
Monitor session initiation events. The parameters in this section track changes to the files associated with session events.
- `/var/run/utmp` - tracks all currently logged in users.
- `/var/log/wtmp` - file tracks logins, logouts, shutdown, and reboot events.
- `/var/log/btmp` - keeps track of failed login attempts and can be read by entering the command `/usr/bin/last -f /var/log/btmp`.
All audit records will be tagged with the identifier "session."
## Rationale
Monitoring these files for changes could alert a system administrator to logins occurring at unusual hours, which could indicate intruder activity (i.e. a user logging in at a time when they do not normally log in).
## Audit Procedure
### Command Line
On disk configuration - Run the following command to check the on disk rules:
```bash
# awk '/^ *-w/ \
&&(/\/var\/run\/utmp/ \
||/\/var\/log\/wtmp/ \
||/\/var\/log\/btmp/) \
&&/ +-p *wa/ \
&&(/ key= *[!-~]* *$/||/ -k *[!-~]* *$/)' /etc/audit/rules.d/*.rules
```
Verify the output matches:
```
-w /var/run/utmp -p wa -k session
-w /var/log/wtmp -p wa -k session
-w /var/log/btmp -p wa -k session
```
Running configuration - Run the following command to check loaded rules:
```bash
# auditctl -l | awk '/^ *-w/ \
&&(/\/var\/run\/utmp/ \
||/\/var\/log\/wtmp/ \
||/\/var\/log\/btmp/) \
&&/ +-p *wa/ \
&&(/ key= *[!-~]* *$/||/ -k *[!-~]* *$/)'
```
Verify the output matches:
```
-w /var/run/utmp -p wa -k session
-w /var/log/wtmp -p wa -k session
-w /var/log/btmp -p wa -k session
```
## Expected Result
Both on disk and running configuration should show session initiation audit rules.
## Remediation
### Command Line
Edit or create a file in the `/etc/audit/rules.d/` directory, ending in `.rules` extension, with the relevant rules to monitor session initiation information.
Example:
```bash
# printf "
-w /var/run/utmp -p wa -k session
-w /var/log/wtmp -p wa -k session
-w /var/log/btmp -p wa -k session
" >> /etc/audit/rules.d/50-session.rules
```
Merge and load the rules into active configuration:
```bash
# augenrules --load
```
Check if reboot is required:
```bash
# if [[ $(auditctl -s | grep "enabled") =~ "2" ]]; then printf "Reboot required to load rules\n"; fi
```
## References
1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: AU-3
2. STIG ID: UBTU-20-010279 | RULE ID: SV-238317r991581 | CAT II
3. STIG ID: UBTU-20-010278 | RULE ID: SV-238316r991581 | CAT II
4. STIG ID: UBTU-20-010277 | RULE ID: SV-238315r991581 | CAT II
5. STIG ID: UBTU-22-654195 | RULE ID: SV-260641r991581 | CAT II
6. STIG ID: UBTU-22-654200 | RULE ID: SV-260642r991581 | CAT II
7. STIG ID: UBTU-22-654205 | RULE ID: SV-260643r991581 | CAT II
## CIS Controls
| Controls Version | Control | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8 | 8.5 Collect Detailed Audit Logs | | X | X |
| v7 | 4.9 Log and Alert on Unsuccessful Administrative Account Login | | X | X |
| v7 | 16.13 Alert on Account Login Behavior Deviation | | | X |
MITRE ATT&CK Mappings: T1562, T1562.006 / TA0001 / M1047
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