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Configure auditing of unsuccessful file creations

An XCCDF Rule

Description

Ensure that unsuccessful attempts to create a file are audited. The following rules configure audit as described above: 

## Unsuccessful file creation (open with O_CREAT)
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S openat,open_by_handle_at -F a2&0100 -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-create
-a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S openat,open_by_handle_at -F a2&0100 -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-create
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S open -F a1&0100 -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-create
-a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S open -F a1&0100 -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-create
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S creat -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-create
-a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S creat -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-create
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S openat,open_by_handle_at -F a2&0100 -F exit=-EPERM -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-create
-a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S openat,open_by_handle_at -F a2&0100 -F exit=-EPERM -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-create
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S open -F a1&0100 -F exit=-EPERM -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-create
-a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S open -F a1&0100 -F exit=-EPERM -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-create
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S creat -F exit=-EPERM -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-create
-a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S creat -F exit=-EPERM -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-create
Load new Audit rules into kernel by running: 
augenrules --load
Note: This rule uses a special set of Audit rules to comply with OSPP 4.2.1. You may reuse this rule in different profiles. If you decide to do so, it is recommended that you inspect contents of the file closely and make sure that they are alligned with your needs.

Rationale

Unsuccessful file creations might be a sign of a malicious action being performed on the system. Keeping log of such events helps in monitoring and investigation of such actions.

ID
xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_audit_create_failed
Severity
Medium
References
Updated



Remediation - Ansible

- name: Put contents into /etc/audit/rules.d/30-ospp-v42-1-create-failed.rules according
    to policy
  copy:
    dest: /etc/audit/rules.d/30-ospp-v42-1-create-failed.rules
    content: |
      ## Unsuccessful file creation (open with O_CREAT)

Remediation - Shell Script

# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if [ ! -f /.dockerenv ] && [ ! -f /run/.containerenv ]; then

cat << 'EOF' > /etc/audit/rules.d/30-ospp-v42-1-create-failed.rules
## Unsuccessful file creation (open with O_CREAT)
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S openat,open_by_handle_at -F a2&0100 -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-create