# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 4.1.7 Ensure events that modify the system's Mandatory Access Controls are collected

> Collect audit events for modifications to SELinux/AppArmor mandatory access controls

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-1-7-ensure-events-that-modify-the-sys` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-1-7-ensure-events-that-modify-the-sys`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-1-7-ensure-events-that-modify-the-sys/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Security
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-1-7-ensure-events-that-modify-the-sys

---


# 4.1.7 Ensure events that modify the system's Mandatory Access Controls are collected (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 2 - Server
- Level 2 - Workstation

## Description

Monitor SELinux/AppArmor mandatory access controls. The parameters below monitor any write access (potential additional, deletion or modification of files in the directory) or attribute changes to the `/etc/selinux` or `/etc/apparmor` and `/etc/apparmor.d` directories.

## Rationale

Changes to files in these directories could indicate that an unauthorized user is attempting to modify access controls and change security contexts, leading to a compromise of the system.

## Audit Procedure

On systems using SELinux run the following commands:

```bash
grep MAC-policy /etc/audit/audit.rules
auditctl -l | grep MAC-policy
```

Verify output of both matches:

```
-w /etc/selinux/ -p wa -k MAC-policy
-w /usr/share/selinux/ -p wa -k MAC-policy
```

On systems using AppArmor run the following commands:

```bash
grep MAC-policy /etc/audit/audit.rules
auditctl -l | grep MAC-policy
```

Verify output of both matches:

```
-w /etc/apparmor/ -p wa -k MAC-policy
-w /etc/apparmor.d/ -p wa -k MAC-policy
```

## Expected Result

The audit rules for MAC-policy should be present and active.

## Remediation

On systems using SELinux add the following line to the `/etc/audit/audit.rules` file:

```bash
-w /etc/selinux/ -p wa -k MAC-policy
-w /usr/share/selinux/ -p wa -k MAC-policy
```

On systems using AppArmor add the following line to the `/etc/audit/audit.rules` file:

```bash
-w /etc/apparmor/ -p wa -k MAC-policy
-w /etc/apparmor.d/ -p wa -k MAC-policy
```

**Notes:** Reloading the auditd config to set active settings may require a system reboot.

## Default Value

Not configured by default.

## References

1. CIS Controls v6.1 - 3.6 Implement Automated Configuration Monitoring System

## Profile

- Level 2 - Server
- Level 2 - Workstation