.TH Lynis 8 "4 Dec 2019" "1.31" "Unix System Administrator's Manual" .SH "NAME" \fB \fB \fB Lynis \fP\- System and security auditing tool \fB .SH "SYNOPSIS" .nf .fam C \fBlynis\fP [scan mode] [other options] .fam T .fi .SH "DESCRIPTION" \fBLynis\fP is a security auditing tool for Linux, macOS, and other systems based on UNIX. The tool checks the system and the software configuration, to see if there is any room for improvement the security defenses. All details are stored in a log file. Findings and other discovered data is stored in a report file. This can be used to compare differences between audits. \fBLynis\fP can run interactively or as a cronjob. Root permissions (e.g. sudo) are not required, however provide more details during the audit. .PP The following system areas may be checked: .IP \- Boot loader files .IP \- Configuration files .IP \- Software packages .IP \- Directories and files related to logging and auditing .IP .SH "FIRST TIME USAGE" When running \fBLynis\fP for the first time, run: lynis audit system .SH "COMMANDS" .IP "audit \" Perform an audit of the selected type .IP "upload-only" Upload the available report data file See HELPERS section for more commands. .SH "SCAN TYPES" .IP "audit system" Performs a system audit, which is the most common audit. .IP "audit system remote \" Provide commands to do a remote scan. .PP For more scan modes, see the helper utilities. .SH "OPTIONS" .TP .B \-\-auditor Define the name of the auditor/pentester. When a full name is used, add double quotes, like "Your Name". .TP .B \-\-cronjob Perform automatic scan with cron safe options (no colors, no questions, no breaks). .TP .B \-\-debug Display debug information to screen for troubleshooting purposes. .TP .B \-\-developer Display detailed information useful for developers when creating tests. .TP .B \-\-forensics Perform the audit on a running or mounted system (see \-\-rootdir) .TP .B \-\-help Show available commands and most-used options. .TP .B \-\-logfile Defines location and name of log file, instead of default /var/log/lynis.log. .TP .B \-\-man Show the man page. Useful for systems that do not have the man page installed. .TP .B \-\-no\-colors Disable colored output. .TP .B \-\-no\-log Redirect all logging information to /dev/null, prevents sensitive information to be written to disk. .TP .B \-\-pentest Run a non-privileged scan, usually used for penetration testing. Some of the tests will be skipped if they require root permissions. .TP .B \-\-plugin\-dir Define location where plugins can be found. .TP .B \-\-profile Provide alternative profile to perform the scan. .TP .B \-\-quick (\-Q) Do a quick scan (default: don't wait for user input). .TP .B \-\-quiet (\-q) Run quietly and do not show anything to the screen. Will also enable quick mode. .TP .B \-\-report\-file Provide an alternative name for report file. .TP .B \-\-reverse\-colors Optimize screen output for light backgrounds. .TP .B \-\-skip\-plugins Do not run plugins. .TP .B \-\-tests TEST-IDs Only run the specific test(s). When using multiple tests, add quotes around the line. .TP .B \-\-tests\-from\-category "" Tests are only performed if they belong to the defined category. Use the command 'show categories' to determine all valid options. .TP .B \-\-tests\-from\-group "" Similar to \-\-tests\-from\-category. Only perform tests from a particular group. Use 'show groups' to determine valid options. .TP .B \-\-use-cwd Run from the current working directory. .TP .B \-\-upload Upload data to Lynis Enterprise server (profile option: upload=yes). .TP .B \-\-verbose Show more details on screen, such as components that could not found. These details are hidden by default. .TP .B \-\-wait Wait for user to continue. This adds a break after each section (opposed of \-\-quick). .TP .B \-\-warnings\-only Run quietly, except show warnings. .RE .PP .RS Multiple parameters are allowed, though some parameters can only be used together with others. When running Lynis without any parameters, help will be shown and the program will exit. .RE .PP .SH "HELPERS" Lynis has special helpers to do certain tasks. This way the framework of Lynis is used, while at the same time storing most of the functionality in a separated file. This speeds up execution and keeps the code clean. .IP "audit" Run audit on the system or on other targets .IP "configure \" Change or add settings to the config file .IP "generate \" Generate specific details such as host IDs .IP "show \" Show information, such as configuration and paths .IP "update \" Perform activities regarding updating .PP To use a helper, run 'lynis' followed by the helper name. .SH "EXIT CODES" Lynis uses exit codes to signal any invoking script. Currently the following codes are used: .IP 0 Program exited normally .IP 1 Fatal error .IP 64 An unknown parameter is used, or incomplete .IP 65 Incorrect data encountered .IP 66 Can't open file or directory .IP 78 Lynis found 1 or more warnings or configurations errors (with error-on-warnings=yes) .SH "BUGS" Bugs can be reported via GitHub at https://github.com/CISOfy/lynis or via support@cisofy.com .SH "DOCUMENTATION" Supporting documentation can be found via https://cisofy.com/support/ .SH "LICENSING" Lynis is licensed as GPLv3. The tool was created by Michael Boelen in 2007. Since 2013 its development has been taken over by CISOfy under the management of Michael Boelen. Plugins may have a different license. .SH "CONTACT INFORMATION" Support requests and project related questions can be addressed via e-mail: lynis-dev@cisofy.com.