# Cis Ubuntu1804 V220 5 1 2 7

> Ensure rsyslog is not configured to receive logs from a remote client

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1804-v220-5-1-2-7` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1804-v220-5-1-2-7`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1804-v220-5-1-2-7/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- 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-v220-5-1-2-7

---


# 5.1.2.7 Ensure rsyslog is not configured to receive logs from a remote client (Automated)

## Profile

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

## Description

RSyslog supports the ability to receive messages from remote hosts, thus acting as a log server. Clients should not receive data from other hosts.

## Rationale

If a client is configured to also receive data, thus turning it into a server, the client system is acting outside it's operational boundary.

## Audit Procedure

### Command Line

Review the `/etc/rsyslog.conf` and `/etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf` files and verify that the system is not configured to accept incoming logs.

Old format:

```bash
grep '$ModLoad imtcp' /etc/rsyslog.conf /etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf
grep '$InputTCPServerRun' /etc/rsyslog.conf /etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf
```

No output expected.

New format:

```bash
grep -P -- '^\h*module\(load="imtcp"\)' /etc/rsyslog.conf /etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf
grep -P -- '^\h*input\(type="imtcp" port="514"\)' /etc/rsyslog.conf /etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf
```

No output expected.

## Expected Result

No output should be returned for any of the commands.

## Remediation

### Command Line

Remove or comment out any lines in `/etc/rsyslog.conf` and `/etc/rsyslog.d/*.conf` that configure rsyslog to accept incoming logs. Restart the service:

```bash
systemctl restart rsyslog
```

## Default Value

rsyslog is not configured to receive logs from remote clients by default.

## References

1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: AU-2, AU-12, CM-6, CM-7

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| v8               | 4.8 Uninstall or Disable Unnecessary Services on Enterprise Assets and Software - Uninstall or disable unnecessary services on enterprise assets and software.                                                |
| 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               | 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.       |
| v7               | 9.2 Ensure Only Approved Ports, Protocols and Services Are Running - Ensure that only network ports, protocols, and services listening on a system with validated business needs, are running on each system. |