CloudTrail trail log file validation should be enabled¶

Utilize AWS CloudTrail log file validation to check the integrity of CloudTrail logs. Log file validation helps determine if a log file was modified or deleted or unchanged after CloudTrail delivered it. This feature is built using industry standard algorithms: SHA-256 for hashing and SHA-256 with RSA for digital signing. This makes it computationally infeasible to modify, delete or forge CloudTrail log files without detection.

How to fix¶

Attribute enable_log_file_validation of aws_cloudtrail must be true.

Implementation options¶

Choose the option that matches how you manage Terraform. All options satisfy this control.

Option 1: Terraform AWS provider resources¶

If you manage resources directly, configure the relevant Terraform AWS provider resources to meet this control. See docs for the resources involved: aws_cloudtrail.

resource "aws_cloudtrail" "this" {
  advanced_event_selector {
    field_selector {
      equals = ["Data"]
      field  = "eventCategory"
    }
    field_selector {
      equals = ["AWS::S3::Object"]
      field  = "resources.type"
    }

    name = "Log all S3 data events"
  }

  name           = "pofix-example-trail"
  s3_bucket_name = "example-bucket-abc123"

  enable_log_file_validation = true
}

Which option should I choose?

Compliance.tf module (recommended): controls enforced by default and mapped to frameworks.
Open source module (terraform-aws-modules): compatible by design with compliance.tf. Same variable names for an easy, low-change migration path when you are ready.
Terraform AWS provider resources: manage Terraform resources directly.

Tool mappings¶

Use these identifiers to cross-reference this control across tools, reports, and evidence.

Compliance.tf (CTF) Control: cloudtrail_trail_validation_enabled
AWS Config Managed Rule: CLOUD_TRAIL_LOG_FILE_VALIDATION_ENABLED
Checkov Check: CKV_AWS_36
Powerpipe Controls: aws_compliance.control.cis_v500_3_2, aws_compliance.control.cis_v600_4_2, aws_compliance.control.cloudtrail_trail_validation_enabled