# Cis Ubuntu1804 V220 5 2 4 8

> 5.2.4.8 Ensure audit tools are 755 or more restrictive

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1804-v220-5-2-4-8` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1804-v220-5-2-4-8`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1804-v220-5-2-4-8/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-ubuntu1804-v220-5-2-4-8

---


# 5.2.4.8 Ensure audit tools are 755 or more restrictive

## Description

Audit tools include, but are not limited to, vendor-provided and open source audit tools needed to successfully view and manipulate audit information system activity and records. Audit tools include custom queries and report generators.

## Rationale

Protecting audit information includes identifying and protecting the tools used to view and manipulate log data. Protecting audit tools is necessary to prevent unauthorized operation on audit information.

## Audit

Run the following command to verify the audit tools have mode 755 or more restrictive, are owned by the root user and group root:

```bash
stat -Lc "%n %a" /sbin/auditctl /sbin/aureport /sbin/ausearch /sbin/autrace /sbin/auditd /sbin/augenrules | grep -Pv -- '^\h*\H+\h+([0-7][0,1,4,5][0,1,4,5])\h*$'
```

**Expected result:** Nothing should be returned

## Remediation

Run the following command to remove more permissive mode from the audit tools:

```bash
chmod go-w /sbin/auditctl /sbin/aureport /sbin/ausearch /sbin/autrace /sbin/auditd /sbin/augenrules
```

## References

1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: AU-3

## Metadata

- **Profile Applicability:** Level 2 - Server, Level 2 - Workstation
- **Category:** cis-logging
- **Tags:** cis, ubuntu, linux, ubuntu-18.04, auditing, auditd
- **Version:** 2.2.0
- **Severity Boost:** {}
- **Automated:** Yes
- **CIS Controls:**
  - v8: 3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists
  - v7: 14.6 Protect Information through Access Control Lists
- **MITRE ATT&CK:**
  - Tactics: TA0007 (Discovery)
  - Techniques: T1070, T1070.002, T1083, T1083.000
  - Mitigations: M1047 (Audit)