Ubuntu 22.04 LTS must configure "/var/log/syslog" file with mode "640" or less permissive.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-260491	UBTU-22-232030	SV-260491r958566_rule		Medium

Description

Only authorized personnel should be aware of errors and the details of the errors. Error messages are an indicator of an organization's operational state or can identify the operating system or platform. Additionally, personally identifiable information (PII) and operational information must not be revealed through error messages to unauthorized personnel or their designated representatives. The structure and content of error messages must be carefully considered by the organization and development team. The extent to which the information system is able to identify and handle error conditions is guided by organizational policy and operational requirements.

STIG	Date
Canonical Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide	2025-05-16

Details

Check Text (C-64220r953284_chk)

Verify that Ubuntu 22.04 LTS configures the "/var/log/syslog" file with mode "640" or less permissive by using the following command:

$ stat -c "%n %a" /var/log/syslog
/var/log/syslog 640

If a value of "640" or less permissive is not returned, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-64128r953285_fix)

Configure Ubuntu 22.04 LTS to have permissions of "640" for the "/var/log/syslog" file by using the following command:

$ sudo chmod 0640 /var/log/syslog