system log files permission

[Crystal_1]

Hi,

I am writing a security set up doc...and thinking if I should disenable "other" group to read system log files, such as

/etc/rc.log
/etc/shutdownlog
/var/adm/syslog/syslog.log
/var/adm/btmp
/etc/utmp
/var/adm/wtmp
....

Fromm the security's perspective, hackers can get much useful info from those log files.

Give me your ideas? If this action is made, will it affect the system or user's activities?

Tx, Crystal

[Sebastian Galeski_1]

Hi i would not recomend You modify permition to this file because logging system can fail.

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi Crystal:

Logs like /etc/utmp are used by commands like 'who', so be careful there. I suppose you could remove the read privilege from the others without great loss.

If you are really serious about tightening the security of your server, start by looking at this classic document:

http://www.kbeta.com/SecurityTips/Checklists/HPUX_11_Bastion_Guide.htm

Regards!

...JRF...

[MANOJ SRIVASTAVA]

Hi Crystal


You should not modify the default rights and setting of these files , if a hacker can access /etc and /var then there is more damage he can do to the system . It is better to use the standard tools of security , the latest one was posted in the link below .

http://forums.itrc.hp.com/cm/QuestionAnswer/1,,0xc2d291ccb36bd611abdb0090277a778c,00.html


Manoj Srivastava

[Steven Sim Kok Leong]

Hi,

I suggest that you do not modify the default permissions.

Refer also to Center for Information Security (CIS) security benchmark for HP-UX 10.20, 11.00 and 11i. Included is a set of rules to achieve level 1 security benchmark:

http://www.cisecurity.org/bench_HPUX.html

There is also a scoring tool which provides a "quick and easy way to evaluate your HP-UX system and compare their level of security against the CIS minimum due care security Benchmark. Tool reports guide system administrators to harden both new installations and active production systems. The tool is also effective for monitoring systems to assure that security settings continuously conform with the Benchmark."

Hope this helps. Regards.

Steven Sim Kok Leong