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/2619

Item Details

Category: AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

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

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 7b6f86b929b54302aaa399857b3815a976d70f54e62b1a77fceafdd0b54fa60a