# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 4.1.8 Ensure login and logout events are collected

> Collect audit events for login and logout activity from faillog, lastlog, and tallylog

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-1-8-ensure-login-and-logout-events-ar` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-1-8-ensure-login-and-logout-events-ar`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-1-8-ensure-login-and-logout-events-ar/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-4-1-8-ensure-login-and-logout-events-ar

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# 4.1.8 Ensure login and logout events are collected (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 2 - Server
- Level 2 - Workstation

## Description

Monitor login and logout events. The parameters below track changes to files associated with login/logout events. The file `/var/log/faillog` tracks failed events from login. The file `/var/log/lastlog` maintain records of the last time a user successfully logged in. The file `/var/log/tallylog` maintains records of failures via the `pam_tally2` module.

## Rationale

Monitoring login/logout events could provide a system administrator with information associated with brute force attacks against user logins.

## Audit Procedure

Run the following commands:

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

## Expected Result

Verify output of both includes:

```
-w /var/log/faillog -p wa -k logins
-w /var/log/lastlog -p wa -k logins
-w /var/log/tallylog -p wa -k logins
```

## Remediation

Add the following lines to the `/etc/audit/audit.rules` file:

```bash
-w /var/log/faillog -p wa -k logins
-w /var/log/lastlog -p wa -k logins
-w /var/log/tallylog -p wa -k logins
```

**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 - 5.5 Log Failed Administrative Login Attempts
2. CIS Controls v6.1 - 16.10 Profile User Account Usage And Monitor For Anomalies
3. CIS Controls v6.1 - 16.4 Automatically Log Off Users After Standard Period Of Inactivity

## Profile

- Level 2 - Server
- Level 2 - Workstation