Registry Tip #26: CrashOnAuditFail - Forensics

Hits: Failed to execute CGI : Win32 Error Code = 3


In a environment with a need to ensure that there are no unaudited events, when its critical to save the potential forensics of the event logs, the follow registry key will force Windows NT or Windows 2000 to crash when the security event log becomes full. Once the box crashes, an administrator would have to logon from the console to save and clear the event logs to make the server functional again. To set, apply the following Windows NT / Windows 2000 Registry hack:

Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\LSA
Name: CrashOnAuditFail
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

Q140058 - How To Prevent Auditable Activities When Security Log Is Full
Q178208 - CrashOnAuditFail with Logon/Logoff Auditing Causes Blue Screen
Q155076 - Only Administrators May Log in After Applying C2 Security
Q149393 - Auditing of ProcessTracking interaction
Q232564 - STOP 0xC0000244 When Security Log Full - Dah
Q233214 - STOP Error Occurs Even If CrashOnAuditFail Is Disabled

Frank Heyne has made available a Windows NT Eventlog FAQ .



A must have for NT administrators in corporate or governmental organizations or anyone being audited by a large outside audit firm.
It is not a secrets type guide but it has excellent sound advice and its used by PriceWaterhouse's auditors as a guide.