CloudTrail Trail Log File Validation Rule
This rule ensures that CloudTrail trail log file validation is enabled.
| Rule | CloudTrail trail log file validation should be enabled |
| Framework | NIST 800-53 Revision 5 |
| Severity | ✔ Critical |
CloudTrail Trail Log File Validation for NIST 800-53 Revision 5
Description
CloudTrail is a service provided by AWS that records AWS API calls and related events made within an account. Enabling log file validation for CloudTrail trail ensures the integrity of the logs by adding a digital signature to each log file. This helps to prevent unauthorized modifications to log files and ensures the files can be trusted for audit and compliance purposes.
To adhere to the security guidelines specified in the NIST 800-53 Revision 5 framework, it is recommended to enable log file validation for AWS CloudTrail trails.
Troubleshooting Steps
If there are issues encountered while enabling log file validation for CloudTrail, you can follow these troubleshooting steps:
- 1.
Verify AWS CloudTrail Service: Ensure that the AWS CloudTrail service is available and properly configured in your AWS account.
- 2.
Check Trail Configuration: Verify the trail's configuration to ensure it is set up correctly. Review the following:
- Trail settings and options.
- S3 bucket configuration for log storage.
- CloudTrail log file encryption using AWS Key Management Service (KMS).
- 3.
Trail Logging Status: Ensure that trail logging is enabled and running. If the trail is not logging, log file validation cannot be enabled.
- 4.
Permissions: Review the IAM roles and policies associated with your trail. Ensure the IAM roles have the necessary permissions to enable log file validation.
- 5.
AWS Management Console: If you are experiencing issues with the AWS Management Console, try using the AWS CLI or SDKs to enable log file validation programmatically.
If the issue persists, consider checking the AWS documentation or reaching out to AWS support for further assistance.
Necessary Codes
There are no specific codes required for enabling CloudTrail log file validation. The activation of log file validation can be done through the AWS Management Console or AWS CLI.
Remediation Steps
To enable log file validation for CloudTrail, follow these steps:
- 1.
AWS Management Console:
- Go to the AWS Management Console and navigate to the CloudTrail service.
- Select the trail for which you want to enable log file validation.
- Click on "Edit" or "Configure" for the selected trail.
- Under "Advanced settings" or "Additional settings," locate the option for log file validation.
- Enable the log file validation option and save the configuration.
- 2.
AWS CLI:
Open a command-line interface and ensure you have the AWS CLI installed and configured.
Run the following command, replacing
with the name of your trail:<trail-name>aws cloudtrail update-trail --name <trail-name> --enable-log-file-validationVerify that log file validation is enabled by running the following command:
aws cloudtrail describe-trails --trail-name-list <trail-name>Ensure that the response shows
."LogFileValidationEnabled": true
Ensure to repeat these steps for each CloudTrail trail that needs log file validation enabled to align with the NIST 800-53 Revision 5 guideline.
By enabling log file validation for CloudTrail trails, you enhance the security and trustworthiness of your AWS account's logs, supporting compliance with the NIST 800-53 Revision 5 framework.