PostgreSQL must generate audit records when unsuccessful logons or connection attempts occur.

An XCCDF Rule

Description

<VulnDiscussion>For completeness of forensic analysis, it is necessary to track failed attempts to log on to PostgreSQL. While positive identification may not be possible in a case of failed authentication, as much information as possible about the incident must be captured.</VulnDiscussion><FalsePositives></FalsePositives><FalseNegatives></FalseNegatives><Documentable>false</Documentable><Mitigations></Mitigations><SeverityOverrideGuidance></SeverityOverrideGuidance><PotentialImpacts></PotentialImpacts><ThirdPartyTools></ThirdPartyTools><MitigationControl></MitigationControl><Responsibility></Responsibility><IAControls></IAControls>

ID: SV-233553r879874_rule
Severity: Medium
References: CCI-000172
Updated: 8 months ago

Note: The following instructions use the PGDATA and PGVER environment variables. See supplementary content APPENDIX-F for instructions on configuring PGDATA and APPENDIX-H for PGVER.

To ensure that logging is enabled, review supplementary content APPENDIX-C for instructions on enabling logging.

If logging is enabled the following configurations must be made to log unsuccessful connections, date/time, username, and session identifier.
First, as the database administrator (shown here as "postgres"), edit postgresql.conf:

$ sudo su - postgres
$ vi ${PGDATA?}/postgresql.conf

Edit the following parameters:

log_connections = on
log_line_prefix = '< %m %u %c: >'

Where:
* %m is the time and date
* %u is the username
* %c is the session ID for the connection

Next, as the system administrator, reload the server with the new configuration:

$ sudo systemctl reload postgresql-${PGVER?}

PostgreSQL must generate audit records when unsuccessful logons or connection attempts occur.

Description

Remediation - Manual Procedure