4.2.2.5 Ensure remote syslog-ng messages are only accepted on designated log hosts

Information

By default, syslog-ng does not listen for log messages coming in from remote systems.
Rationale:
The guidance in the section ensures that remote log hosts are configured to only accept syslog-ng data from hosts within the specified domain and that those systems that are not designed to be log hosts do not accept any remote syslog-ng messages. This provides protection from spoofed log data and ensures that system administrators are reviewing reasonably complete syslog data in a central location.

Solution

On designated log hosts edit the /etc/syslog-ng/syslog-ng.conf file and configure the following lines are appropriately:
source net{ tcp(); };
destination remote { file("/var/log/remote/${FULLHOST}-log"); };
log { source(net); destination(remote); };
On non designated log hosts edit the /etc/syslog-ng/syslog-ng.conf file and remove or edit any sources that accept network sourced log messages.
Run the following command to reload the syslog-ng configuration:
# pkill -HUP syslog-ng

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2429

Item Details

Category: AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

References: 800-53|AU-9(2), CSCv7|6.2, CSCv7|6.3

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 599992158cd6b1c8ab8064750b597bbcc9567af777fd93271f5d7870a74ff86d