cyberstrikeus 4.1.5 Ensure events that modify user/group information are collected (Scored)
Profile Applicability
- Level 2 - Server
- Level 2 - Workstation
Description
Record events affecting the group, passwd (user IDs), shadow and gshadow (passwords) or /etc/security/opasswd (old passwords, based on remember parameter in the PAM configuration) files. The parameters in this section will watch the files to see if they have been opened for write or have had attribute changes (e.g. permissions) and tag them with the identifier "identity" in the audit log file.
Rationale
Unexpected changes to these files could be an indication that the system has been compromised and that an unauthorized user is attempting to hide their activities or compromise additional accounts.
Audit Procedure
Run the following commands:
grep identity /etc/audit/audit.rules
auditctl -l | grep identity
Expected Result
Verify output of both matches:
-w /etc/group -p wa -k identity
-w /etc/passwd -p wa -k identity
-w /etc/gshadow -p wa -k identity
-w /etc/shadow -p wa -k identity
-w /etc/security/opasswd -p wa -k identity
Remediation
Add the following lines to the /etc/audit/audit.rules file:
-w /etc/group -p wa -k identity
-w /etc/passwd -p wa -k identity
-w /etc/gshadow -p wa -k identity
-w /etc/shadow -p wa -k identity
-w /etc/security/opasswd -p wa -k identity
Notes: Reloading the auditd config to set active settings may require a system reboot.
Default Value
Not configured by default.
References
- CIS Controls v6.1 - 5.4 Log Administrative User Addition And Removal
Profile
- Level 2 - Server
- Level 2 - Workstation