Ensure GCP PostgreSQL instance database flag log_min_messages is set

Error: GCP PostgreSQL instance database flag log_min_messages is not set

Bridgecrew Policy ID: BC_GCP_SQL_6
Checkov Check ID: CKV_GCP_55
Severity: LOW

GCP PostgreSQL instance database flag log_min_messages is not set

Description

The log_min_error_statement database flag defines the minimum message severity level that is considered to be an error statement. Messages for error statements are logged with the SQL statement. Valid values include: DEBUG5, DEBUG4, DEBUG3, DEBUG2, DEBUG1, INFO, NOTICE, WARNING, ERROR, LOG, FATAL, and PANIC. Each severity level includes subsequent levels.

Deadlock timeout defines the time to wait on a lock before checking for any conditions. Frequent runovers on deadlock timeout can be an indication of an underlying issue. Log these waits on locks using the log_lock_waits database flag and use the information to identify poor performance due to locking delays, or if a specially-crafted SQL is attempting to starve resources through holding locks for excessive amounts of time.

We recommend you set the log_min_error_statement flag for PostgreSQL database instances in accordance with your organization's logging policy for auditing purposes. Auditing helps you troubleshoot operational problems, and also permits forensic analysis. If log_min_error_statement is not set to the correct value, messages may not be classified as error messages appropriately. Considering general log messages as error messages would make it difficult to find actual errors, while considering only stricter severity levels as error messages may skip actual errors to log their SQL statements.

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Note

To effectively turn off logging failing statements, set this parameter to PANIC.
ERROR is considered the best practice setting.
Changes should only be made in accordance with the organization's logging policy.

Fix - Runtime

GCP Console

To change the policy using the GCP Console, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to the GCP Console at https://console.cloud.google.com.
  2. Navigate to Cloud SQL Instances.
  3. Select the PostgreSQL instance where the database flag needs to be enabled.
  4. Click Edit.
  5. Scroll down to the Flags section.
  6. To set a flag that has not been set on the instance before, click Add item.
  7. Select the flag log_min_error_statement from the drop-down menu, and set an appropriate value.
  8. Click Save.
  9. Confirm the changes in the Flags section on the Overview page.

CLI Command

  1. List all Cloud SQL database Instances using the following command:
    gcloud sql instances list
  2. Configure the log_min_error_statement database flag for every Cloud SQL PosgreSQL database instance using the below command.
    gcloud sql instances patch INSTANCE_NAME --database-flags log_min_error_statement=<DEBUG5|DEBUG4|DEBUG3|DEBUG2|DEBUG1|INFO|NOTICE|WARNI NG|ERROR|LOG|FATAL|PANIC>

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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 (=).

Fix - Buildtime

Terraform

  • Resource: google_sql_database_instance
  • Arguments:
    databaseversion = "POSTGRES* "
    settings::database_flags: key:"log_min_messages", value: by default set to "ERROR"
    Argument value can be one of the following: DEBUG5, DEBUG4, DEBUG3, DEBUG2, DEBUG1, INFO, NOTICE, WARNING, ERROR, LOG, FATAL, and PANIC
resource "google_sql_database_instance" "default" {
  name             = "master-instance"
  database_version = "POSTGRES_11"
  region           = "us-central1"

  settings {
+         database_flags {
+            name  = "log_min_messages"
+            value = "DEBUG5"
          }
  }
}