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CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 4.2.1.4 Ensure rsyslog is configured to send logs to a remote log host

DevOps & Security
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Configure rsyslog to forward logs to a remote log host for centralized logging

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Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike/blob/HEAD/.cyberstrike/skill/CIS_benchmarks/Operating_Systems/Ubuntu/CIS_Ubuntu_Linux_14.04_LTS_Benchmark_v2.1.0/cis-ubuntu1404-v210-4-2-1-4/SKILL.md

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4.2.1.4 Ensure rsyslog is configured to send logs to a remote log host (Scored)

Profile Applicability

  • Level 1 - Server
  • Level 1 - Workstation

Description

The rsyslog utility supports the ability to send logs it gathers to a remote log host running syslogd(8) or to receive messages from remote hosts, reducing administrative overhead.

Rationale

Storing log data on a remote host protects log integrity from local attacks. If an attacker gains root access on the local system, they could tamper with or remove log data that is stored on the local system.

Audit Procedure

Review the /etc/rsyslog.conf and /etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf files and verify that logs are sent to a central host (where loghost.example.com is the name of your central log host):

grep "^*.*[^I][^I]*@" /etc/rsyslog.conf /etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf

Expected Result

*.* @@loghost.example.com

Remediation

Edit the /etc/rsyslog.conf and /etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf files and add the following line (where loghost.example.com is the name of your central log host).

*.* @@loghost.example.com

Run the following command to reload the rsyslogd configuration:

pkill -HUP rsyslogd

Notes: The double "at" sign (@@) directs rsyslog to use TCP to send log messages to the server, which is a more reliable transport mechanism than the default UDP protocol.

Default Value

Not configured by default.

References

  1. See the rsyslog.conf(5) man page for more information.

Profile

  • Level 1 - Server
  • Level 1 - Workstation