Logging

Creating audit trails – Logging commands on Linux with Snoopy

Snoopy is a useful utility to log commands on Linux and create a related audit trail. Auditing trails are considered to be important for proper accounting.

Summary

Logging commands on Linux with Snoopy Our customers often want to set-up an audit trail for accounting purposes. When something happens, they want to be able to see what happened, when it did and by whom. Defining an audit trail is also becoming mandatory for compliance, like PCI. One possible solution we cover is using Snoopy, a small library to log executed commands. How it works Snoopy is a wrapper around the execve() function.

Linux security: Reviewing log files

Log files are the precious collection of system events. Still many people don't really use them, until it is really needed. Let's change that!

Summary

Log files are the precious collection of system events. Still many people don’t use them, until it is really needed. Let’s go from the reactive use of log files to a proactive stance. The Logging Dilemma Capturing events helps in troubleshooting. By defining what events are ignored and which ones are logged, we get a quick overview on the status of a system. The dilemma is usually in how much logging is enough to get a fair picture and when is it too much.

Linux audit: Log files in /var/log/audit

This article describes the purpose of the audit.log file in /var/log/audit and the relationship with the Linux audit framework.

Summary

By default the Linux audit framework logs all data in the /var/log/audit directory. Usually the related file is named audit.log and contains audit related information such as events. /var/log/audit/audit.log This file is the default log file for the Linux audit daemon. It has all related audit events and is configured using the configuration file of auditd (auditd.conf). # cat /etc/audit/auditd.conf log_file = /var/log/audit/audit.log Usually there is no reason to alter this location, unless a different storage location is preferred.

Configuration and collecting of Linux audit events

Guide to setup central audit logging for your Linux based systems, with the use of the powerful Linux audit framework. No single audit log should get lost!

Summary

This guide is to help our users of the Lynis Enterprise Suite to configure a central node to receive Linux audit events. It provides some pointers on how to do a quick set-up, to store and forward events. This information is very valuable for forensic investigations and intrusion detection. Configure the server First start by configuring the server. Since this is a central log host, it should have enough disk capacity and enough bandwidth to sustain peaks.

Linux audit log: dealing with audit.log file

Article to deal with the Linux audit log file and how to use it. Including tips to search events and safeguard it against unintended alteration of the log.

Summary

The Linux kernel audit framework consists of several components including a daemon, control client, audit rules and Linux audit log. In this article we take additional measures to protect the audit.log file. Aureport The first useful utility to parse the audit.log is aureport. Without parameters it will give a summary of all events. This includes the files, users, audit keys and also items like suspicious events (anomalies). Each sub item can be read independently by using the related parameter.