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Configure auditing of unsuccessful file modifications

An XCCDF Rule

Description

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

## Unsuccessful file modifications (open for write or truncate)
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S openat,open_by_handle_at -F a2&01003 -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-modification
-a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S openat,open_by_handle_at -F a2&01003 -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-modification
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S open -F a1&01003 -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-modification
-a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S open -F a1&01003 -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-modification
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S truncate,ftruncate -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-modification
-a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S truncate,ftruncate -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-modification
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S openat,open_by_handle_at -F a2&01003 -F exit=-EPERM -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-modification
-a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S openat,open_by_handle_at -F a2&01003 -F exit=-EPERM -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-modification
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S open -F a1&01003 -F exit=-EPERM -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-modification
-a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S open -F a1&01003 -F exit=-EPERM -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-modification
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S truncate,ftruncate -F exit=-EPERM -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-modification
-a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S truncate,ftruncate -F exit=-EPERM -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-modification
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 modifications might be a sign of a malicious action being performed on the system. Auditing of such events helps in detection and investigation of such actions.

ID
xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_audit_modify_failed
Severity
Medium
References
Updated



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-v42-2-modify-failed.rules
## Unsuccessful file modifications (open for write or truncate)
-a always,exit -F arch=b32 -S openat,open_by_handle_at -F a2&01003 -F exit=-EACCES -F auid>=1000 -F auid!=unset -F key=unsuccessful-modification

Remediation - Ansible

- name: Put contents into /etc/audit/rules.d/30-ospp-v42-2-modify-failed.rules according
    to policy
  copy:
    dest: /etc/audit/rules.d/30-ospp-v42-2-modify-failed.rules
    content: |
      ## Unsuccessful file modifications (open for write or truncate)