Ubuntu 24.04 LTS must configure the /var/log directory to be group-owned by syslog.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-270765	UBTU-24-700100	SV-270765r1066784_rule		Medium

Description

Only authorized personnel are to be made aware of errors and the details of the errors. Error messages are an indicator of an organization's operational state or can identify Ubuntu 24.04 LTS 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 24.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide	2025-05-16

Details

Check Text (C-74798r1066782_chk)

Verify that Ubuntu 24.04 LTS configures the /var/log directory to be group-owned by "syslog" with 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-74699r1066783_fix)

Configure Ubuntu 24.04 LTS to have syslog group-own the /var/log directory with the following command:

$ sudo chgrp syslog /var/log