Implementing Web Application Logging with ModSecurity

Overview

ModSecurity is an open-source WAF engine that works with Apache, Nginx, and IIS. The OWASP Core Rule Set (CRS) provides generic attack detection rules covering SQL injection, XSS, RCE, LFI, and other OWASP Top 10 attacks. ModSecurity logs full request/response data in audit logs for forensic analysis and generates alerts that feed into SIEM platforms.

When to Use

• When deploying or configuring implementing web application logging with modsecurity capabilities in your environment
• When establishing security controls aligned to compliance requirements
• When building or improving security architecture for this domain
• When conducting security assessments that require this implementation

Prerequisites

• Web server (Apache 2.4+ or Nginx) with ModSecurity v3 module