4.1.1.3 Ensure audit logs are not automatically deleted

Information

The max_log_file_action setting determines how to handle the audit log file reaching the max file size. A value of keep_logs will rotate the logs but never delete old logs.

Rationale:

In high security contexts, the benefits of maintaining a long audit history exceed the cost of storing the audit history.

Solution

Set the following parameter in /etc/audit/auditd.conf:

max_log_file_action = keep_logs

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3738

Item Details

Category: AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

References: 800-53|AU-4, CSCv7|6.2, CSCv7|6.4

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 85e9326dad9ddecf8004ded50502353540610215b71176471eb5d3b886402f46