Skip to main content

🛡️ Google Cloud PostgreSQL Instance Log_min_messages Database Flag is not set at minimum to Warning🟢

  • Contextual name: 🛡️ PostgreSQL Instance Log_min_messages Database Flag is not set at minimum to Warning🟢
  • ID: /ce/ca/google/sql/postgresql-instance-log-min-messages-flag
  • Tags:
  • Policy Type: COMPLIANCE_POLICY
  • Policy Categories: RELIABILITY

Stats​

not available

Logic​

Similar Policies​

Description​

Open File

Description​

The log_min_messages flag defines the minimum message severity level that is written to the PostgreSQL server log. Valid values include (from lowest to highest severity) DEBUG5, DEBUG4, DEBUG3, DEBUG2, DEBUG1, INFO, NOTICE, WARNING, ERROR, LOG, FATAL, and PANIC. Each severity level includes the subsequent levels mentioned above. Set this flag to WARNING or a higher severity level.

Rationale​

Auditing helps in troubleshooting operational problems and also permits forensic analysis. If log_min_messages is set below WARNING, excessive low-severity messages may make it harder to identify actionable events.

This recommendation is applicable to PostgreSQL database instances.

Impact​

Setting the threshold too low might result in increased log storage size, making it difficult to find actual errors. Setting the threshold to WARNING will log messages for the most needed error messages. Higher severity levels may cause errors needed for troubleshooting to not be logged.

Note: To effectively turn off logging failing statements, set this parameter to PANIC.

... see more

Remediation​

Open File

Remediation​

From Google Cloud Console​

  1. Go to the Cloud SQL Instances page in the Google Cloud Console by visiting https://console.cloud.google.com/sql/instances.
  2. Select the PostgreSQL instance for which you want to enable the database flag.
  3. Click Edit.
  4. Scroll down to the Flags section.
  5. To set a flag that has not been set on the instance before, click Add a Database Flag, choose the flag log_min_messages from the drop-down menu, and set the value to WARNING or a higher severity level.
  6. Click Save to save the changes.
  7. Confirm the changes under Flags on the Overview page.

From Google Cloud CLI​

  1. Configure the log_min_messages database flag for every Cloud SQL PostgreSQL database instance using the following command.

    gcloud sql instances patch {{instance-name}} \
        --database-flags log_min_messages={{WARNING|ERROR|LOG|FATAL|PANIC}}

    Note: This command will overwrite all database flags previously set. To keep those and add new ones, include the values for all flags to be set on the instance; any flag not specifically included is set to its default value. For flags that do not take a value, specify the flag name followed by an equals sign ("=").

policy.yaml​

Open File

Linked Framework Sections​

SectionSub SectionsInternal RulesPoliciesFlagsCompliance
💼 CIS GCP v1.2.0 → 💼 6.2.13 Ensure that the 'log_min_messages' database flag for Cloud SQL PostgreSQL instance is set appropriately - Level 1 (Manual)1no data
💼 CIS GCP v1.3.0 → 💼 6.2.6 Ensure That the 'Log_min_messages' Database Flag for Cloud SQL PostgreSQL Instance Is Set to at least 'Warning' - Level 1 (Manual)1no data
💼 CIS GCP v2.0.0 → 💼 6.2.5 Ensure that the 'Log_min_messages' Flag for a Cloud SQL PostgreSQL Instance is set at minimum to 'Warning' - Level 1 (Automated)1no data
💼 CIS GCP v3.0.0 → 💼 6.2.5 Ensure that the 'Log_min_messages' Flag for a Cloud SQL PostgreSQL Instance is set at minimum to 'Warning' - Level 1 (Automated)1no data
💼 CIS GCP v4.0.0 → 💼 6.2.5 Ensure that the 'Log_min_messages' Flag for a Cloud SQL PostgreSQL Instance is set at minimum to 'Warning' - Level 1 (Automated)1no data
💼 CIS GCP v5.0.0 → 💼 6.2.5 Ensure that the 'Log_min_messages' Flag for a Cloud SQL PostgreSQL Instance is set at minimum to 'Warning' - Level 1 (Automated)1no data
💼 Cloudaware Framework → 💼 Logging and Monitoring Configuration79no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AU-3 Content of Audit Records (L)(M)(H)139no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AU-7 Audit Record Reduction and Report Generation (M)(H)121no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AU-12 Audit Record Generation (L)(M)(H)274no data
💼 FedRAMP Low Security Controls → 💼 AU-3 Content of Audit Records (L)(M)(H)24no data
💼 FedRAMP Low Security Controls → 💼 AU-12 Audit Record Generation (L)(M)(H)74no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AU-3 Content of Audit Records (L)(M)(H)139no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AU-7 Audit Record Reduction and Report Generation (M)(H)121no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AU-12 Audit Record Generation (L)(M)(H)74no data
💼 ISO/IEC 27001:2022 → 💼 5.28 Collection of evidence1622no data
💼 ISO/IEC 27001:2022 → 💼 8.15 Logging2035no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 DE.AE-3: Event data are collected and correlated from multiple sources and sensors1938no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 DE.CM-1: The network is monitored to detect potential cybersecurity events1963no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 DE.AE-03: Information is correlated from multiple sources66no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 DE.AE-07: Cyber threat intelligence and other contextual information are integrated into the analysis38no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 DE.CM-01: Networks and network services are monitored to find potentially adverse events185no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 DE.CM-03: Personnel activity and technology usage are monitored to find potentially adverse events105no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 DE.CM-09: Computing hardware and software, runtime environments, and their data are monitored to find potentially adverse events182no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 RS.AN-03: Analysis is performed to establish what has taken place during an incident and the root cause of the incident17no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 RS.AN-06: Actions performed during an investigation are recorded, and the records' integrity and provenance are preserved18no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 RS.AN-07: Incident data and metadata are collected, and their integrity and provenance are preserved18no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AU-3 Content of Audit Records31539no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AU-7 Audit Record Reduction and Report Generation2221no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AU-12 Audit Record Generation44874no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 9.7 Maintain strict control over the storage and accessibility of media.16no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 10.2 Implement automated audit trails for all system components.7633no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 10.2.2 All actions taken by any individual with root or administrative privileges.16no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 10.2.5 Use of and changes to identification and authentication mechanisms.116no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 9.4.5 Inventory logs of all electronic media with cardholder data are maintained.16no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 10.2.1 Audit logs are enabled and active for all system components and cardholder data.732no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 10.2.1.2 Audit logs capture all actions taken by any individual with administrative access, including any interactive use of application or system accounts.16no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 10.2.1.5 Audit logs capture all changes to identification and authentication credentials.16no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 9.4.5 Inventory logs of all electronic media with cardholder data are maintained.16no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 10.2.1 Audit logs are enabled and active for all system components and cardholder data.7132no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 10.2.1.2 Audit logs capture all actions taken by any individual with administrative access, including any interactive use of application or system accounts.16no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 10.2.1.5 Audit logs capture all changes to identification and authentication credentials.16no data
💼 SOC 2 → 💼 CC5.2-3 Establishes Relevant Security Management Process Controls Activities1636no data
💼 SOC 2 → 💼 CC7.2-1 Implements Detection Policies, Procedures, and Tools7no data
💼 SOC 2 → 💼 CC7.2-2 Designs Detection Measures7no data
💼 SOC 2 → 💼 CC7.2-3 Implements Filters to Analyze Anomalies918no data