cyberstrikeus 4.2.1.4 Ensure rsyslog is configured to send logs to a remote log host (Scored)
Profile Applicability
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation
Description
The rsyslog utility supports the ability to send logs it gathers to a remote log host running syslogd(8) or to receive messages from remote hosts, reducing administrative overhead.
Rationale
Storing log data on a remote host protects log integrity from local attacks. If an attacker gains root access on the local system, they could tamper with or remove log data that is stored on the local system.
Audit Procedure
Review the /etc/rsyslog.conf and /etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf files and verify that logs are sent to a central host (where loghost.example.com is the name of your central log host):
grep "^*.*[^I][^I]*@" /etc/rsyslog.conf /etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf
Expected Result
*.* @@loghost.example.com
Remediation
Edit the /etc/rsyslog.conf and /etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf files and add the following line (where loghost.example.com is the name of your central log host).
*.* @@loghost.example.com
Run the following command to reload the rsyslogd configuration:
pkill -HUP rsyslogd
Notes: The double "at" sign (@@) directs rsyslog to use TCP to send log messages to the server, which is a more reliable transport mechanism than the default UDP protocol.
Default Value
Not configured by default.
References
- See the rsyslog.conf(5) man page for more information.
Profile
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation