Ubuntu 22.04 LTS must configure the "/var/log" directory to be group-owned by "syslog".

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-260509	UBTU-22-232125	SV-260509r958566_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-64238r953338_chk)

Verify that Ubuntu 22.04 LTS configures the "/var/log" directory to be group-owned by "syslog" by using the following command:

$ stat -c "%n %G" /var/log
/var/log syslog

If the "/var/log" directory is not group-owned by "syslog", this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-64146r953339_fix)

Configure Ubuntu 22.04 LTS to have syslog group-own the "/var/log" directory by using the following command:

$ sudo chgrp syslog /var/log