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#9 A09:2021

Security Logging and Monitoring Failures

This category helps detect, escalate, and respond to active breaches. Without logging and monitoring, breaches cannot be detected.

Overview

Previously Insufficient Logging & Monitoring. This category is expanded to include more types of failures, is challenging to test for, and isn't well represented in CVE/CVSS data.

How Attackers Exploit This

Understanding attack patterns helps you build better defenses. These are the techniques security teams watch for.

Undetected breach

Without proper logging, attackers can operate undetected for extended periods, exfiltrating data gradually.

Detection signal: This is the problem - without logging, there IS no indicator

Log tampering

Attackers with access modify or delete logs to cover their tracks.

Detection signal: Gaps in log sequences, modified timestamps, missing entries

How to Prevent

  • Log all login, access control, and server-side input validation failures
  • Ensure logs are in a format easily consumed by log management solutions
  • Ensure log data is encoded correctly to prevent injection attacks
  • Ensure high-value transactions have an audit trail with integrity controls
  • Establish effective monitoring and alerting for suspicious activities
  • Establish an incident response and recovery plan

CWEs with Shoulder Detection (3)

These CWEs have Shoulder detection rules. Click to see specific vulnerabilities and fixes.

Other Mapped CWEs (2)

These CWEs are mapped to this category. Use MITRE references for guidance.