Ensure login and logout events are collected
Scanned 5/30/2026
Install via CLI
openskills install CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike---
name: cis-ubuntu2004-v300-6-3-3-12
description: "Ensure login and logout events are collected"
category: cis-logging
version: "3.0.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, ubuntu, linux, ubuntu-20.04, auditing, auditd]
cis_id: "6.3.3.12"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS Benchmark v3.0.0"
tech_stack: [ubuntu, linux]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---
# 6.3.3.12 Ensure login and logout events are collected (Automated)
## Profile
- Level 2 - Server
- Level 2 - Workstation
## Description
Monitor login and logout events. The parameters below track changes to files associated with login/logout events.
- `/var/log/lastlog` - maintain records of the last time a user successfully logged in.
- `/var/run/faillock` - directory maintains records of login failures via the `pam_faillock` module.
## Rationale
Monitoring login/logout events could provide a system administrator with information associated with brute force attacks against user logins.
## Audit Procedure
### Command Line
On disk configuration - Run the following command to check the on disk rules:
```bash
# awk '/^ *-w/ \
&&(/\/var\/log\/lastlog/ \
||/\/var\/run\/faillock/) \
&&/ +-p *wa/ \
&&(/ key= *[!-~]* *$/||/ -k *[!-~]* *$/)' /etc/audit/rules.d/*.rules
```
Verify the output matches:
```
-w /var/log/lastlog -p wa -k logins
-w /var/run/faillock -p wa -k logins
```
Running configuration - Run the following command to check loaded rules:
```bash
# auditctl -l | awk '/^ *-w/ \
&&(/\/var\/log\/lastlog/ \
||/\/var\/run\/faillock/) \
&&/ +-p *wa/ \
&&(/ key= *[!-~]* *$/||/ -k *[!-~]* *$/)'
```
Verify the output matches:
```
-w /var/log/lastlog -p wa -k logins
-w /var/run/faillock -p wa -k logins
```
## Expected Result
Both on disk and running configuration should show login/logout 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 login and logout events.
Example:
```bash
# printf "
-w /var/log/lastlog -p wa -k logins
-w /var/run/faillock -p wa -k logins
" >> /etc/audit/rules.d/50-login.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
## 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 | 16.11 Lock Workstation Sessions After Inactivity | X | 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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