Verify Permissions on Files within /var/log Directory

$ sudo chgrp syslog /var/log

$ sudo chgrp root /var/log/messages

$ sudo chgrp adm /var/log/syslog

$ sudo chown root /var/log 

$ sudo chown root /var/log/messages 

$ sudo chown syslog /var/log/syslog 

$ sudo chmod 0755 /var/log

$ sudo chmod 0640 /var/log/messages

$ sudo chmod 0640 /var/log/syslog