Ubuntu 24.04 LTS must configure /var/log/syslog file to be owned by syslog.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-270769	UBTU-24-700140	SV-270769r1066796_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-74802r1066794_chk)

Verify that Ubuntu 24.04 LTS configures the /var/log/syslog file to be owned by "syslog" with the following command:

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

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

Fix Text (F-74703r1066795_fix)

Configure Ubuntu 24.04 LTS to have syslog own the /var/log/syslog file by running the following command:

$ sudo chown syslog /var/log/syslog