Detections
Analytics

MYS8-00-001200 - The audit information produced by the MySQL Database Server 8.0 must be protected from unauthorized read access - audit.log

Warning! Audit Deprecated

This audit has been deprecated and will be removed in a future update.

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Information

If audit data were to become compromised, then competent forensic analysis and discovery of the true source of potentially malicious system activity is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. In addition, access to audit records provides information an attacker could potentially use to their advantage.

To ensure the veracity of audit data, the information system and/or the application must protect audit information from any and all unauthorized access. This includes read, write, copy, etc.

This requirement can be achieved through multiple methods, which will depend upon system architecture and design. Some commonly employed methods include ensuring log files enjoy the proper file system permissions utilizing file system protections and limiting log data location.

Additionally, applications with user interfaces to audit records should not allow for the unfettered manipulation of or access to those records via the application. If the application provides access to the audit data, the application becomes accountable for ensuring that audit information is protected from unauthorized access.

Audit information includes all information (e.g., audit records, audit settings, and audit reports) needed to successfully audit information system activity.

If the value of audit_log_file is a relative path name, the plugin interprets it relative to the data directory. If the value is a full path name, the plugin uses the value as is. A full path name may be useful if it is desirable to locate audit files on a separate file system or directory. For security reasons, write the audit log file to a directory accessible only to the MySQL server and to users with a legitimate reason to view the log.

Solution

Apply controls and modify permissions to protect database audit log data from unauthorized access, whether stored in the database itself or at the OS level.

sudo vi /etc/my.cnf
[mysqld]
audit-log=FORCE_PLUS_PERMANENT
audit-log-format=JSON
audit-log-encryption=AES

After changing the my.cnf, restart the server.

If not performed already, set the audit log password.
SELECT audit_log_encryption_password_set(password);

Set appropriate permissions on the directory and audit files.
sudo chown mysql <audit directory path>
sudo chgrp mysql <audit directory path>
Change permissions
chmod 750 <directory path>

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_Oracle_MySQL_8-0_V1R2_STIG.zip

Item Details

References: CAT|II, CCI|CCI-000162, Rule-ID|SV-235099r623419_rule, STIG-ID|MYS8-00-001200, Vuln-ID|V-235099

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 2561a192a9fbd097b90d611c24788f4157d4fd2d83b1bdf1240e4c6e2b9d5508