Linux Compliance Standard Auditing Via Self-service Business Intelligence Tools – In this article, we will introduce the main Linux hard disk utilities. In Russia, it is called something like “checking the security level of the Linux system and evaluating the correctness of the configurations from the point of view of information security”. Of course, we will not only review the programs, but also give examples of their use.
Administrators, and even more auditors, are often faced with the task of checking the security of a large number of hosts in a very short time. And of course, in the Enterprise segment there are specialized tools to solve these problems, for example, such as network security scanners.
I am sure that all of them – from the open source OpenVAS engine to commercial products such as Nessus or Nexpose – are familiar to our readers. However, this software is usually used to search for outdated and therefore vulnerable software and then start patch management.
In addition, not all scanners take into account some specific features of the built-in security mechanisms of Linux and other open source products. And last but not least, the price of the release is important, because only companies that allocate a budget for this work can afford commercial products.
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That is why today we will talk about a specialized set of free distributed utilities that can diagnose the current level of system security, assess potential risks, for example, “additional services” sticking out of the Internet or default configurations that are not security, and even suggest options. to correct the defects observed. Another advantage of using these tools is the ability to reproduce typical farm test scripts from any number of Linux systems and form a documented test base in the form of logs and separate reports.
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If you look through the eyes of an auditor, then the approach to testing can be divided into two types.
The first is compliance with the so-called compliance requirements, where the presence of mandatory security elements prescribed by some international standard or “best practice” is checked. A classic example is PCI DSS requirements for IT payment systems, SOX404, NIST-800 series, MITER.
The second is a purely rational approach based on the question “What else can be done to increase security?”. There are no requirements – only your knowledge, clear head and skillful hands. For example, this is updating the version of the kernel package and / or application, enabling volume encryption, forcing SELinux, setting up the iptables firewall.
Everything related to the second approach is usually called the special term Hardening, which can also be defined as “actions aimed at strengthening the initial security level of the operating system (or program) mainly by means of standards.”
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Compliance with compliance requirements is usually verified in preparation for passing a mandatory audit such as PCI DSS or other certification audit. We will pay more attention to the Hardening element. All major developers offer
For products – guides with advice and recommendations on how to strengthen security, taking into account standard security mechanisms and software specifics. So, Red Hat, Debian, Oracle, Cisco have similar manuals.
Lynis is the first tool on our list and perhaps the most sophisticated tool for auditing Linux systems. At the same time, it is very easy to use and very visual – all the tests and the results are displayed on the screen. The utility analyzes the current security level settings and determines the hard state of the machine. Alarms detected and important security warnings are sent to the terminal console and separately in a log file, grouped by blocks. In addition to security information, Lynis will help you find system-wide information, information about installed packages and possible configuration errors, and kernel updates.
The developers announced support for a large number of operating systems: from Arch, BackTrack, Kali to Debian / Ubuntu, RHEL / CentOS, SuSE, the BSD family (FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, DragonFly BSD), as well as more exotic HPUX, Solaris 10. +, TrueOS and macOS.
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All documentation with a more detailed description and usage examples are available in the Lynis Documentation section on the CISOfy official site. If you do not want to be limited to the tests suggested, it is possible to develop your own. More details on this are written in the Lynis Software Development Kit section. Well, for those who are still in doubt whether to install the utility or not, the developers have prepared a small demo that explains how the installation and the first launch take place.
With the free version, which we will use below, the developers offer a solution at the enterprise level. In this case, a web interface for the administration, optional dashboard, additional documentation (hardening fragment) and a detailed plan to correct the identified violations are added to the standard delivery. And this is not all, this solution is also available as a service in the cloud (Software-as-a-Service).
Lynis performs hundreds of individual tests to determine the security status of a system. The security test itself consists of a series of steps from starting the program to generating a report.
Since Lynis is a very flexible and versatile tool, it is used for a variety of purposes. For example, typical use cases for Lynis include:
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It is enough to specify at least one key to start Lynis. For example, to run all available tests, you should specify the key
Before reviewing, it’s always a good idea to check if a new version of Lynis is available:
If you want to set the name of the listener who started the test, just add a parameter
At any stage of the review, the verification process can be continued (Enter) or forcibly stopped (Ctrl + C). The results of the performed tests will be recorded in the Lynis application
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For systematic testing in automatic mode, you can assign the corresponding task to the Cron scheduler using the button
. In this case, the utility will work according to the specified model (configuration) and will not show any interactive messages, questions or warnings. All results will be saved in the journal. For example, here is a script to run the utility with the default configuration once a month:
The possible status options based on the check results are limited to the following list: NO, POOR, DONE, FOUND, NOT_FOUND, OK, WARNING.
In practice, it may be necessary to perform only a few tests. For example, if your server only does Mail server or Apache functions. We can use a parameter for this
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If you find it difficult to understand because of the large number of test IDs, then you can use the group parameter
. With this option, Lynis only runs test IDs that fall into a specific category. For example, we plan to run firewall and kernel tests:
In addition, the functionality of Lynis is extended by several plugins that you can add yourself or you can add new ones to an existing directory.
All warnings will be listed after the results. Each begins with a warning text, and the test that generated it appears in parentheses next to it. The next line suggests a solution to the problem, if it exists. In fact, the last line is the URL where you can see the details and get additional recommendations on how to fix the problem.
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. The developers do not recommend direct editing: any changes you want to make in the review are better added to the file
In this file, you can define a list of tests that will be excluded from Lynis audit. For example:
To exclude a specific test, use the skip test directive and specify the test ID. For example, like this:
Based on all test results, at the end of each utility audit result (just below the suggestions section), you’ll find a section that looks something like this:
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This result, expressed as a number, shows the number of passed tests and the security index of the system, i.e. the hardening index is the final number Lynis evaluates the overall level of security of the server. It is very important to note that the safety index changes according to the number of corrected warnings and recommendations applied by Lynis. Therefore, after the repair, a re-audit may show a completely different number!
Lunar is a series of native scripts written in the bash shell language that tests a target Linux machine and generates a security audit report based on the test results. Toolza is based on CIS standards and other global security frameworks. Support is declared for all popular systems: Linux — RHEL and CentOS from version 5, SLES from version 10, Debian / Ubuntu, Amazon Linux, Solaris from version 6, macOS (latest version), FreeBSD (partially), AIX (partially) and even ESXi.
Among other things, this utility supports the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform and Docker containers. A detailed description of all features, as well as examples of running the utility and performing tests are provided in the Wiki document on GitHub.
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses are constantly seeking efficient solutions for compliance standard auditing, especially in Linux-based environments. The integration of self-service business intelligence (BI) tools in this process has emerged as a game-changer, offering unprecedented levels of autonomy, flexibility, and insight. This article delves into the realm of Linux compliance standard auditing through the lens of self-service BI tools, exploring their impact, best practices, and future prospects.
The Importance of Linux Compliance in Business Linux, known for its stability and security, is a cornerstone in many business infrastructures. However, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations remains a critical challenge. The need for efficient, accurate auditing mechanisms is paramount to maintain operational integrity and regulatory compliance.
Self-Service Business Intelligence: A Paradigm Shift
Self-service Business Intelligence tools represent a significant shift in how data is analyzed and reported in organizations. These tools empower end-users to create reports and dashboards, analyze data, and make informed decisions without extensive technical expertise. The democratization of data analysis has profound implications for compliance auditing.
Integrating Self-Service Business Intelligence Tools for Linux Compliance Auditing
The integration of self-service Business Intelligence tools in Linux compliance auditing streamlines the process, making it more efficient and user-friendly. Key benefits include:
- Enhanced Data Accessibility: Users can access and analyze compliance-related data without reliance on IT departments.
- Real-Time Compliance Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of compliance metrics ensures immediate detection of anomalies or breaches.
- Customizable Reporting: Tailored reports that cater to specific compliance requirements can be easily generated.
Best Practices for Leveraging Self-Service BI in Linux Auditing
To maximize the benefits of self-service Business Intelligence tools in Linux compliance auditing, organizations should consider the following best practices:
- Establish Clear Compliance Objectives: Define specific compliance goals to tailor the BI tool’s capabilities effectively.
- Ensure Data Accuracy: Regularly validate and update the data sources connected to the BI tools to maintain reliability.
- Foster a Data-Driven Culture: Encourage staff to engage with these tools and make data-driven decisions for compliance-related matters.
Challenges and Solutions in Implementing Self-Service Business Intelligence for Linux Auditing
While self-service Business Intelligence tools offer numerous advantages, they also present challenges, such as data security concerns and potential misuse of tools. Solutions include:
- Implementing Robust Data Governance: Establish clear policies and protocols for data access and usage.
- Providing Adequate Training: Equip staff with the necessary skills to use these tools responsibly and effectively.
The Future of Linux Compliance Auditing with Business Intelligence Tools
The future of Linux compliance auditing with self-service Business Intelligencetools is promising. Innovations in AI and machine learning are expected to further enhance these tools, offering even more sophisticated analysis capabilities and predictive insights.
The integration of self-service business intelligence tools in Linux compliance standard auditing marks a significant advancement in how businesses approach compliance. By leveraging these tools, organizations can enjoy greater flexibility, enhanced insights, and streamlined processes, ultimately leading to better compliance management and business outcomes.
