STIGQter: STIG Summary: Cloud Linux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 1 Release: 7 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

AlmaLinux OS 9 audit logs must be owned by the root group to prevent unauthorized read access.

DISA Rule

SV-269538r1050421_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-269538

Group Title

SRG-OS-000057-GPOS-00027

Rule Version

ALMA-09-055900

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-000162 - Protect audit information from unauthorized access.
• CCI-000164 - Protect audit information from unauthorized deletion.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Change the audit logs to be owned by the root group:

$ chgrp root /var/log/audit/audit.log

Then set the group to root in /etc/audit/auditd.conf by adding or updating the following line:

log_group = root

Check Contents

Verify the audit logs are owned by the "root" group.

First determine if a group other than "root" has been assigned to the audit logs with the following command:

$ grep log_group /etc/audit/auditd.conf

log_group = root

Then determine where the audit logs are stored with the following command:

$ grep -w log_file /etc/audit/auditd.conf

log_file = /var/log/audit/audit.log

Then using the location of the audit log file, determine if the audit log is owned by the "root" group using the following command:

$ stat -c "%G" /var/log/audit/audit.log

root

If the audit log is not owned by the "root" group, or log_group is not set to "root", this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-269538

Documentable

False

Rule Version

ALMA-09-055900

Severity Override Guidance

Verify the audit logs are owned by the "root" group.

First determine if a group other than "root" has been assigned to the audit logs with the following command:

$ grep log_group /etc/audit/auditd.conf

log_group = root

Then determine where the audit logs are stored with the following command:

$ grep -w log_file /etc/audit/auditd.conf

log_file = /var/log/audit/audit.log

Then using the location of the audit log file, determine if the audit log is owned by the "root" group using the following command:

$ stat -c "%G" /var/log/audit/audit.log

root

If the audit log is not owned by the "root" group, or log_group is not set to "root", this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5664