# Cis Ubuntu1804 V220 5 1 1 7

> Ensure journald default file permissions configured

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1804-v220-5-1-1-7` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1804-v220-5-1-1-7`
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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-ubuntu1804-v220-5-1-1-7

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# 5.1.1.7 Ensure journald default file permissions configured (Manual)

## Profile

- **Level:** 1 - Server
- **Level:** 1 - Workstation
- **Assessment Status:** Manual

## Description

Journald will create logfiles that do not already exist on the system. This setting controls what permissions will be applied to these newly created files.

## Rationale

It is important to ensure that log files have the correct permissions to ensure that sensitive data is archived and protected.

## Audit Procedure

### Command Line

First see if there is an override file `/etc/tmpfiles.d/systemd.conf`. If so, this file will override all default settings as defined in `/usr/lib/tmpfiles.d/systemd.conf` and should be inspected.

If there is no override file, inspect the default `/usr/lib/tmpfiles.d/systemd.conf` against the site specific requirements.

Ensure that file permissions are `0640`. Should a site policy dictate less restrictive permissions, ensure to follow said policy. NOTE: More restrictive permissions such as `0600` is implicitly sufficient.

## Expected Result

File permissions should be `0640` or more restrictive.

## Remediation

### Command Line

If the default configuration is not appropriate for the site specific requirements, copy `/usr/lib/tmpfiles.d/systemd.conf` to `/etc/tmpfiles.d/systemd.conf` and modify as required. Requirements is either `0640` or site policy if that is less restrictive.

## Default Value

0640

## References

1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: AC-3, AU-2, AU-12, MP-2, SI-5

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| v8               | 3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists - Configure data access control lists based on a user's need to know. Apply data access control lists, also known as access permissions, to local and remote file systems, databases, and applications. |
| v8               | 8.2 Collect Audit Logs - Collect audit logs. Ensure that logging, per the enterprise's audit log management process, has been enabled across enterprise assets.                                                                                 |
| v7               | 5.1 Establish Secure Configurations - Maintain documented, standard security configuration standards for all authorized operating systems and software.                                                                                         |
| v7               | 6.2 Activate audit logging - Ensure that local logging has been enabled on all systems and networking devices.                                                                                                                                  |
| v7               | 6.3 Enable Detailed Logging - Enable system logging to include detailed information such as an event source, date, user, timestamp, source addresses, destination addresses, and other useful elements.                                         |