# Cis Ubuntu1604 V200 4 1 15

> Ensure system administrator command executions (sudo) are collected

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1604-v200-4-1-15` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1604-v200-4-1-15`
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- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1604-v200-4-1-15

---


# CIS Ubuntu Linux 16.04 LTS Benchmark v2.0.0 - Control 4.1.15

## Profile

- **Level:** 2 - Server
- **Level:** 2 - Workstation
- **Assessment Status:** Automated

## Description

sudo provides users with temporary elevated privileges to perform operations. Monitor the administrator with temporary elevated privileges and the operation(s) they performed.

**Note:** Reloading the auditd config to set active settings requires the auditd service to be restarted, and may require a system reboot.

## Rationale

Creating an audit log of administrators with temporary elevated privileges and the operation(s) they performed is essential to reporting. Administrators will want to correlate the events written to the audit trail with the records written to sudo logfile to verify if unauthorized commands have been executed.

## Impact

None.

## Audit Procedure

### Command Line

**On a 32 bit system:**

Run the following command to verify the rules are contained in a `.rules` file in the `/etc/audit/rules.d/` directory:

```bash
grep actions /etc/audit/rules.d/*.rules
```

Verify the output includes:

```
-a exit,always -F arch=b32 -C euid!=uid -F euid=0 -Fauid>=1000 -F auid!=4294967295 -S execve -k actions
```

Run the following command to verify that rules are in the running auditd config:

```bash
auditctl -l | grep actions
```

Verify the output includes:

```
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S execve -C uid!=euid -F euid=0 -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=-1 -F key=actions
```

**On a 64 bit system:**

Run the following command to verify the rules are contained in a `.rules` file in the `/etc/audit/rules.d/` directory:

```bash
grep actions /etc/audit/rules.d/*.rules
```

Verify the output includes:

```
-a exit,always -F arch=b64 -C euid!=uid -F euid=0 -Fauid>=1000 -F auid!=4294967295 -S execve -k actions
-a exit,always -F arch=b32 -C euid!=uid -F euid=0 -Fauid>=1000 -F auid!=4294967295 -S execve -k actions
```

Run the following command to verify that rules are in the running auditd config:

```bash
auditctl -l | grep actions
```

Verify the output includes:

```
-a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S execve -C uid!=euid -F euid=0 -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=-1 -F key=actions
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S execve -C uid!=euid -F euid=0 -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=-1 -F key=actions
```

## Expected Result

Output should include the rules listed above for the appropriate architecture.

## Remediation

### Command Line

**For 32 bit systems:** Edit or create a file in the `/etc/audit/rules.d/` directory ending in `.rules`.

Example: `vi /etc/audit/rules.d/50-actions.rules`

Add the following line:

```bash
-a exit,always -F arch=b32 -C euid!=uid -F euid=0 -Fauid>=1000 -F auid!=4294967295 -S execve -k actions
```

**For 64 bit systems:** Edit or create a file in the `/etc/audit/rules.d/` directory ending in `.rules`.

Example: `vi /etc/audit/rules.d/50-actions.rules`

Add the following lines:

```bash
-a exit,always -F arch=b64 -C euid!=uid -F euid=0 -Fauid>=1000 -F auid!=4294967295 -S execve -k actions
-a exit,always -F arch=b32 -C euid!=uid -F euid=0 -Fauid>=1000 -F auid!=4294967295 -S execve -k actions
```

## Default Value

By default, no audit rules are configured for sudo command executions.

## References

1. CIS Ubuntu Linux 16.04 LTS Benchmark v2.0.0 - Section 4.1.15

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                                |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| v7               | 4.9 Log and Alert on Unsuccessful Administrative Account Login - Configure systems to issue a log entry and alert on unsuccessful logins to an administrative account. |