Seeking the knowledge of the ESA guru's

[KeithDixon]

I am having some challenges (the nicest way to say it publicly) with ESA and thought it was time to ask the guru's and experts here.

I have created a total of 2 successful rules (basic rules mind you).

• device_type is "AV device type"/"network based malware detection device type"
• alert is meta1 (both rules fire with this same alert condition)

So, I try to configure an ESA alert for HIPS (same vendor as AV). I am unsuccessful at this.

Round 2, seemingly brilliant idea is born: follow the same logic as the current two working rules (device_type is and alert is..). It worked for the two successfully, right?

(Wrong btw)

I create an application rule to create to alert on the Alert meta, rule name "HIPS event".
I let this soak for a while and I can run a query in Investigation and under the Alert meta, I can see "hips event" (don't get me started on the case sensitivity issue). Ok, great. I'm on my way to saying "I have created 3 successful ESA alerts".

So I got from Mr. AV Vendor's website a file I can run similar to the EICAR file to test the HIPS functionality. I create the new HIPS ESA rule:

• device_type is "AV device type" (HIPS events come in under this same device_type)
• alert is "hips alert"

Run test file.

Nothing

It took me a while to realize "hips alert" and "HIPS alert" in the eyes of ESA are two different things. So, I discover this last night thinking I have truly discovered the ultimate secret and resolution to my headaches.

I make the change... I sync the change.

Same. result.

Nothing. (ESA alert, but the application rule created the desired alert name successfully "working as designed")

So.... what am I doing wrong?

[Anonymous]

Could you c/c the rule in EPL ?

[KeithDixon]

• Application_rule_A - Works flawlessly.
  • Building additional queries based off of "alert = Application_rule_A" has worked very successfully.
• Application_rule_B - Works flawlessly.
  • This was my attempt to take a working query that provides solid data return
  • This was also to use the same concept where I could get the first 2 ESA rules working and triggering as expected and desired and use the same logic.
    • I tried an ESA simple rule based on the "Application_rule_B" logic to absolutely no success whatsoever.

Application rules:

Application_rule_A = "device.class='anti virus' && (event.cat='1003050000','1003040000','1003030000','1003020000','1003010000','1003000000' || event.cat.name begins 'Attacks.Malicious Code.')"

Application_rule_B = "device.type = AV_logsource && event.cat.name = 'attacks.malicious code.virus' && virusname !exists && event.desc != 'Potential risk found'"

ESA rules:

In "simple rule" format:

This one works successfully (first one):

If all conditions are met

Meta key	Evaluation type	Value	Is value An Array
device_type	is one of	AV_logsource	No
alert	is one of	Application_rule_A	No

This one works successfully (second one):

If all conditions are met

Meta key	Evaluation type	Value	Is value An Array
device_type	is one of	Other_logsource	No
alert	is one of	Application_rule_A	No

This one is the one that doesn't work and in every way possible, I cannot understand why:

If all conditions are met

Meta key	Evaluation type	Value	Is value An Array
device_type	is one of	AV_logsource	No
alert	is one of	Application_rule_B	No

UPDATED EDIT

To remove one small doubt I had, I'm going to edit the "Application_rule_B" to this:

Application_rule_B = "device.class='anti virus' && event.cat.name = 'attacks.malicious code.virus' && virusname !exists && event.desc != 'Potential risk found'"

I've got a test file that should initiate the application rule to fire at least.

[KeithDixon]

UPDATE # 2

• Application rule updated to this:
  • device.class='anti virus' && event.cat.name = 'attacks.malicious code.virus' && virusname !exists && event.desc != 'Potential risk found'
• Application rule works successfully
• It populates the Alert meta with the desired value
• I stopped and restarted logdecoder service as well (when in doubt)

So, time for an ESA test, right?

Application_rule_B =

• device.class='anti virus' && event.cat.name = 'attacks.malicious code.virus' && virusname !exists && event.desc != 'Potential risk found'

ESA rule =

If all conditions are met

Meta key	Evaluation type	Value	Is value An Array
device_type	is one of	AV_logsource	No
alert	is one of	Application_rule_B	No

Test results?

• Zip
• zero
• zilch
• nada
• nothing
• goose egg
• snake eyes