How to Monitor Who Is Using the su Command

How to Monitor Who Is Using the `su` Command

The sulog file lists every use of the switch user (su) command, not only the su attempts that are used to switch from user to root.

The su logging in this file is enabled by default through the following entry in the /etc/default/su file:

SULOG=/var/adm/sulog

Note:

If you are using the account-policy SMF stencil and the config/etc_default_passwd property is enabled, you must change the corresponding SMF property on every system that will use this new algorithm. For examples, see the procedures in Modifying Rights System-Wide As SMF Properties in Securing Users and Processes in Oracle Solaris 11.4. See also the account-policy(8S) man page.

You must assume the root role. For more information, see Using Your Assigned Administrative Rights in Securing Users and Processes in Oracle Solaris 11.4.

Monitor the contents of the /var/adm/sulog file on a regular basis.
```
# more /var/adm/sulog
SU 12/20 16:26 + pts/0 stacey-root
SU 12/21 10:59 + pts/0 stacey-root
SU 01/12 11:11 + pts/0 root-rimmer
SU 01/12 14:56 + pts/0 jdoe-root
SU 01/12 14:57 + pts/0 jdoe-root
```
The entries display the following information:
- The date and time that the command was entered.
- If the attempt was successful. A plus sign (+) indicates a successful attempt. A minus sign (-) indicates an unsuccessful attempt.
- The port from which the command was issued.
- The name of the user and the name of the switched identity.

Troubleshooting: Entries that include ??? indicate that the controlling terminal for the su command cannot be identified. Typically, system invocations of the su command before the desktop appears include ???, as in SU 10/10 08:08 + ??? root-root. After the user starts a desktop session, the ttynam command returns the value of the controlling terminal to the sulog: SU 10/10 10:10 + pts/3 jdoe-root.

Entries similar to the following can indicate that the su command was not invoked on the command line: SU 10/10 10:20 + ??? root-oracle. A Trusted Extensions user might have switched to the oracle role by using a GUI.