DISA STIGS Viewer

AlmaLinux OS 9 audit log directory must be owned by root to prevent unauthorized read access.

Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-269536 ALMA-09-055680 SV-269536r1050419_rule   Medium
Description
Unauthorized disclosure of audit records can reveal system and configuration data to attackers, thus compromising its confidentiality. Audit information includes all information (e.g., audit records, audit settings, audit reports) needed to successfully audit operating system activity. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027, SRG-OS-000059-GPOS-00029
STIG Date
CloudLinux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2025-05-22

Details

Check Text (C-73567r1048984_chk)
Verify the audit log directory is owned by "root".

First determine where the audit logs are stored with the following command:

$ grep -w log_file /etc/audit/auditd.conf

log_file = /var/log/audit/audit.log

Then using the location of the audit log file, determine if the audit log is owned by the "root" user and group using the following command:

$ stat -c "%U:%G %n" /var/log/audit

root:root /var/log/audit

If the audit log directory is not owned by "root:root", this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-73468r1048985_fix)
Change the audit directory to be owned by the root user and group:

$ chown root:root /var/log/audit