8.2.5 Configure rsyslog to Send Logs to a Remote Log Host

Information

The rsyslog utility supports the ability to send logs it gathers to a remote log host running
syslogd(8) or to receive messages from remote hosts, reducing administrative overhead.

*Rationale*

Storing log data on a remote host protects log integrity from local attacks. If an attacker
gains root access on the local system, they could tamper with or remove log data that is
stored on the local system

Solution

Edit the /etc/rsyslog.conf file and add the following line (where logfile.example.com is the
name of your central log host).
*.* @@loghost.example.com
# Execute the following command to restart rsyslogd
# pkill -HUP rsyslogdNote- The double 'at' sign (@@) directs rsyslog to use TCP to send log messages to the
server, which is a more reliable transport mechanism than the default UDP protocol.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/91

Item Details

Category: AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

References: 800-53|AU-9(2)

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 6d97391e53e4e3f9463e05f574ce3a207b2f27f3097d43618ab5d5ff25e6135f