When searching in Splunk, which of the following SPL commands can be used to run a subsearch across every field in a wildcard field list?
Correct Answer:
A
Theforeachcommand in Splunk is used to iterate over a list of fields that match a wildcard expression and apply a subsearch or function to each of them. This is particularly useful when you need to perform an operation across multiple fields dynamically identified by a wildcard pattern. None of the other options (rex,makeresults, ortransaction) are designed for this specific purpose. Theforeachcommand allows for flexible and efficient processing of multiple fields without having to explicitly name them all.
Which search command allows an analyst to match whatever is inside the parentheses as a single term in the index, even if it contains characters that are usually recognized as minor breakers such as periods or underscores?
Correct Answer:
D
TheTERM()search command in Splunk allows an analyst to match a specific term exactly as it appears, even if it contains characters that are usually considered minor breakers, such as periods or underscores. By usingTERM(), the search engine treats everything inside the parentheses as a single term, which is especially useful for searching log data where certain values (like IP addresses or filenames) should be matched exactly as they appear in the logs.
An analyst is attempting to investigate a Notable Event within Enterprise Security. Through the course of their investigation they determined that the logs and artifacts needed to investigate the alert are not available.
What event disposition should the analyst assign to the Notable Event?
Correct Answer:
D
In this scenario, the analyst cannot conclude whether the Notable Event is a true positive or a false positive due to the absence of necessary logs and artifacts. The appropriate eventdisposition in this case is "Other," as it indicates that further action is required, such as ingesting the missing logs. The involvement of a security engineer to ensure the necessary data is available for proper investigation is implied, making "Other" the most suitable option.
Which of the following Splunk Enterprise Security features allows industry frameworks such as CIS Critical Security Controls, MITRE ATT&CK, and the Lockheed Martin Cyber Kill Chain® to be mapped to Correlation Search results?
Correct Answer:
A
Splunk Enterprise Security (ES) provides various features to enhance security monitoring, analysis, and incident response. One of the powerful features in Splunk ES isAnnotations. This feature allows security analysts to map and categorize correlation search results according to well-known industry frameworks such as the CIS Critical Security Controls, MITRE ATT&CK, and the Lockheed Martin Cyber Kill Chain®.
✑ Purpose of Annotations:
✑ How Annotations Work:
✑ Integration with Frameworks:
Annotations in Splunk ES:Practical Example:Consider a correlation search that detects unusual behavior indicating potential lateral movement within a network. If this alert is annotated with a reference to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, it might map to techniques like "T1021 - Remote Services," which is associated with the lateral movement tactic. This mapping not only categorizes the event but also helps in planning the next steps for containment and investigation.
✑ Efficiency in Response:By aligning alerts with industry frameworks, annotations
help in quickly identifying the nature and potential impact of a threat.
✑ Consistency in Analysis:Provides a standardized method for categorizing and responding to alerts, ensuring that all analysts interpret and react to threats in a consistent manner.
✑ Improved Reporting:Allows for better visualization and reporting of threats according to established frameworks, making it easier to communicate risks and actions to stakeholders.
✑ Splunk Documentation:Annotations in Splunk ES
✑ MITRE ATT&CK Framework:MITRE ATT&CK®
✑ Lockheed Martin Cyber Kill Chain®:Cyber Kill Chain
✑ CIS Critical Security Controls:CIS Controls
Why Annotations Are Important:References:
Which Enterprise Security framework provides a mechanism for running preconfigured actions within the Splunk platform or integrating with external applications?
Correct Answer:
D
Adaptive Response is a feature in Splunk's Enterprise Security (ES) framework that allows security teams to automate actions and responses based on alerts or notable events. This feature is pivotal for orchestrating automated incident response processes, reducing the time between detection and response, and integrating Splunk with external systems to trigger appropriate actions.
✑ Purpose:Adaptive Response enables the automation of specific tasks or workflows
based on security events detected by Splunk ES. For instance, it can trigger actions such as isolating a compromised host, blocking IP addresses, or enriching data by querying additional sources when a notable event occurs.
✑ Mechanism:When a notable event is identified within the Splunk platform, Adaptive
Response can execute a series of predefined actions. These actions can be configured within the Splunk interface, allowing them to run automatically or with manual approval depending on the organization's needs. This capability is essential for streamlining security operations, especially in environments where quick response is critical.
✑ Integration with External Applications:One of the key features of Adaptive
Response is its ability to integrate with third-party security tools and solutions. This integrationextends the capabilities of Splunk by allowing it to interact with other systems like firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools, and ticketing systems. This ensures a coordinated and comprehensive defense mechanism.
✑ Usage in Security Operations:Security analysts often rely on Adaptive Response
for managing and automating common security tasks, such as:
✑ Splunk Documentation:Splunk Enterprise Security has detailed guides and resources explaining how Adaptive Response functions within the platform and how to configure and use it effectively. You can access the official documentation for more in-depth technical instructions and examples.
✑ Splunk Education:Splunk offers training courses specifically for Splunk ES, where Adaptive Response is covered as a key topic. These resources provide practical insights and best practices from experienced Splunk users.
✑ Security Analyst Community Discussions:Forums and community discussions are excellent resources where analysts share their experiences and configurations using Adaptive Response, often with detailed examples and troubleshooting tips.
References:Adaptive Response is a powerful tool for any Security Operations Center (SOC) aiming to enhance their incident response capabilities, making it a critical feature within Splunk's Enterprise Security framework.