Cis Ubuntu2004 V300 6 2 3 3

6.2.3.3 Ensure journald is configured to send logs to rsyslog (Automated)

Profile

• Level 1 - Server
• Level 1 - Workstation

Description

Data from systemd-journald may be stored in volatile memory or persisted locally on the server. Utilities exist to accept remote export of systemd-journald logs, however, use of the rsyslog service provides a consistent means of log collection and export.

Rationale

• IF - rsyslog is the preferred method for capturing logs, all logs of the system should be sent to it for further processing.

Note: This recommendation only applies if rsyslog is the chosen method for client side logging. Do not apply this recommendation if systemd-journald is used.

Audit Procedure

Command Line

• IF - rsyslog is the preferred method for capturing logs

Run the following command to verify systemd-journald.service and rsyslog.service are loaded and active:

# systemctl list-units --type service | grep -P -- '(journald|rsyslog)'

Output should be similar to:

rsyslog.service                loaded active running System Logging Service
systemd-journald.service       loaded active running Journal Service

Run the following command to verify that logs are forwarded to rsyslog by setting ForwardToSyslog to yes in the systemd-journald configuration:

# grep -Psi "^ForwardToSyslog=yes" /etc/systemd/journal.conf /etc/systemd/journald.conf.d/*

Expected Result

ForwardToSyslog=yes

Remediation

Command Line

• IF - Journald is the preferred method for capturing logs, this section and Recommendation should be skipped and the "Configure Journald" section followed.
• IF - rsyslog is the preferred method for capturing logs:

Set the following parameter in the [Journal] section in /etc/systemd/journald.conf or a file in /etc/systemd/journald.conf.d/ ending in .conf:

ForwardToSyslog=yes

Note: If this setting appears in a canonically later file, or later in the same file, the setting will be overwritten.

Run to following command to update the parameters in the service: Restart systemd-journald.service:

# systemctl reload-or-restart systemd-journald.service

Default Value

ForwardToSyslog=no

References

1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: AC-3, AU-2, AU-4, AU-12, MP-2
2. SYSTEMD-JOURNALD.SERVICE(8)
3. JOURNALD.CONF(5)

CIS Controls

MITRE ATT&CK Mappings