POC - Steps v0.3_1

Summary:

To summarize an "incident," follow these steps: **Step 1: Understanding the task** - The goal is to provide a brief and accurate description of a specific event or occurrence that has taken place. This involves understanding the nature and context of the incident, as well as gathering sufficient information about it from reliable sources. **Step 2: Researching the topic** - Begin by identifying a particular incident you wish to summarize. Choose an event that is significant, relevant, and can be researched thoroughly using various resources such as news articles, books, online databases, or official records. **Step 3: Gathering key points** - Compile a list of key information about the incident, including details like the date and location where it occurred, main participants involved (individuals, groups), the nature/type of incident, consequences experienced by affected parties, and any relevant background information. **Step 4: Creating a concise summary** - Write a brief paragraph that summarizes the key points from your research without going into excessive detail or becoming overly verbose. Focus on conveying the main aspects of the incident in a clear and straightforward manner. **Step 5: Proofread and finalize** - Carefully review your draft to ensure accuracy, relevance, and proper grammar usage. Make any necessary corrections before finalizing your summary with a clear statement about what occurred during the incident. By following these steps, you will be able to provide an effective and well-structured summary of an incident based on thorough research and careful consideration of key points.

Details:

ArcSight Express is a tool used for managing security incidents, specifically focusing on notifications received via email from HP ArcSight. When an alert is received, it initiates a workflow process to address the issue. The user receives a notification on their phone and can log into the HP ArcSight Console using the credentials admin/password. Upon logging in, the user clicks on the "pending notifications" section of the console which indicates unaddressed incidents assigned to them. One such incident is a multiple login attempts leading to the locking of an account (swright). The notification includes details about events that led to this outcome, and it can be inspected and edited directly within the console by double-clicking on the specific notification. To acknowledge or confirm receipt of the notification, the user clicks the "Acknowledge" button. If not acknowledged promptly, the incident might escalate to a higher level. The OS Login Overview tab provides an overview of all operating system login activities, which can be further analyzed by drilling down into detailed event information. The dashboard in ArcSight Express is highly interactive and customizable, allowing users to resize columns for easier viewing or drill down to underlying events for deeper investigation. Specific user activity, such as swright, shows multiple failed login attempts, which the user can explore in detail by double-clicking on their name within charts or tables. The tool allows for customization of data display by changing field sets to suit specific needs like security analysis (ArcSight Foundation and ArcSight Express), providing a comprehensive view tailored for effective security management and incident handling. In summary, the process involves creating channels for both the target user (swright) and the attacker's address (10.0.100.34). By tracing the journey from outside the VPN to the internal IP address, it is observed that swright is a remote VPN user with an assigned IP of 10.0.110.34. Authentication failures indicate a potential infection causing failed logons and extranet activities such as FTP to malicious sites. This behavior suggests compromised malware on the mobile device tunneling into the corporate network. To further investigate, create another channel for the attacker's address (10.0.100.34), which reveals variety of failed logons and connections to known malicious sites through the firewall. Examining all activities from this internal IP address shows a graphical representation in an event graph, adding it directly to a case file for better tracking across different users. In conclusion, the process highlights how HP ArcSight efficiently manages incidents by automatically creating cases, categorizing events such as VPN logons and malware actions related to specific IPs, providing detailed insights into compromised accounts that may have been hijacked in this case. This systematic approach helps in monitoring unauthorized activities effectively while enabling swift action against potential threats. HP ArcSight is a powerful system that helps organizations spot and address security incidents quickly, even those like "zero day attacks" which nobody has heard of yet. It does this by using special rules to check things out and then taking action, like sending a message or making notes about what's happening. In addition, it gives the company a way to see how safe they are with reports that show them everything from security issues to following rules (like being compliant). For example, when you want to make a report in ArcSight Express, you can choose specific things like when something happened and who did it, then put those details into groups or order them by time. This helps people understand what's going on better. Another cool feature of HP ArcSight is Logger, which lets you show customers how they can have a special welcome screen when someone logs in to their computers. It's like a personal greeting that explains the company rules and makes sure everyone knows them. You can also see some useful information about logins and other security stuff on the dashboard once you log in. The text describes a process for interacting with a search interface in Logger, where you can customize your view using various dashboards and panels. Initially, when viewing the search page, remove any specific destinationPort to focus on general events. From the main menu, navigate to Dashboards by clicking it; then select the Edit icon for desired panels to adjust their format (e.g., column, bar, pie) or number of displayed entries. The user can also switch between different dashboards based on their role and interest in specific areas like network operations or compliance. For example: 1. Accessing Dashboards allows users to select Edit on a panel to modify its display settings. 2. They can change the format of panels to better suit their needs (e.g., column, bar, pie, area, line, stacked column, stacked bar). 3. Users have the option to adjust the number of top entries shown in each panel. 4. The user is guided through changing settings for a compliance dashboard and customizing it according to specific compliance-related items such as configuration changes, failed logins, or modifications to user privileges. 5. For network operations, there's a network-centric monitoring view that includes NetFlow by Destination Port (traffic distribution) and Firewall drops by Source (events dropped from sources). Additionally, the Network – Port Links Up and Down feature shows which devices have experienced link transitions. To analyze network traffic related to potential data leakage by a former employee, you would use a search term (in this case, "dgchung") within the TippingPoint IDS/IPS/Next Generation Firewall logs. This process involves several steps in the Logger interface of the TippingPoint system: 1. **Search Term Entry**: Go to the search page and enter your search term ("dgchung") into the search box. Set the search time window to "Last Hour" for immediate results focused on recent activity. 2. **Field Summary View**: Check the Field Summary box above the search box to narrow down information. This will show where the string "dgchung" is located across different vendors like ORACLE, Microsoft, and Vontu. It also provides counts of events and their percentage distribution. 3. **Customizing Views**: Adjust the view by selecting the Security fieldset from the drop-down next to Fields. This allows you to customize the display according to your specific interests and needs, focusing only on relevant security fields. By following these steps, you can efficiently monitor network activities related to potential data breaches or unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information such as confidential company data sent to China by a departing employee. The process involves performing an advanced search using a sourceHostName in a system log or database, where the hostname contains the string "finance". To do this, one selects the Contains operator under Name for sourceHostName, types "finance" as the string to look for within hostnames. The user then navigates to the Display section and chooses Color Block View from Common Conditions Editor options. This provides a visual representation of the query being conducted. After executing the search with 'Go!', all related events involving finance-containing hostnames are displayed, indicating dgchung events on finance servers. To further refine the search results, additional terms can be added such as ftp to find related FTP activities. If no hits are obtained directly, alternative query constructions might need to be tried (e.g., altering the term in parentheses for a broader search). The user may also add more specific details like usernames or other keywords to narrow down the results. In case of needing assistance with constructing complex queries, using logical operators and modifiers such as OR, AND, NOT, etc., can help refine the search. In some cases, when struggling to find relevant information, changing the search terms slightly (like adding a space followed by | before typing) can trigger suggestions from the Logger system that aid in query construction. Overall, this process is designed to simulate an investigative approach where initial searches might not yield expected results but through iterative refinement and exploration of alternative queries, more specific and relevant information becomes available. The text provides a detailed guide on how to utilize "Logger" for analyzing data related to finance-related activities and network performance issues. For financial analysis, it explains that by filtering events with specific keywords such as 'dgchung' or 'dchung', and including 'sourceHostName' containing the word 'finance', one can chart out a summary of activities like creating users, granting roles, clearing audit logs, and sending suspicious articles. It details how to adjust settings for charts (like switching from default line graph to pie chart), customize panels (change format between column, bar, pie, area, line, stacked column, or stacked bar), export results in various formats including PDF and CSV, and return to the main search interface. When it comes to network performance issues, the guide involves setting up a search with specific conditions (not cef) within the last hour, focusing on raw event logs which can be analyzed for indicators of latency problems based on round-trip averages greater than 1 ms. This demonstrates Logger's capability to handle diverse types of data and perform advanced analytics beyond structured formats. In summary, "Logger" is a versatile tool that supports both financial analysis and network performance monitoring through its integration with raw event logs and ability to generate custom charts based on specific criteria, while also offering extensive exporting options for reports and further analyses. In this process, you start by opening your browser and navigating to the middle or bottom section where you find the "Show RAW: All" icon. This action will display all raw event content visible within Logger. As these events are displayed in their original form (RAW), they contain detailed information that might not be immediately apparent when viewed through other means. To narrow down your focus, you add specific keywords like "loss," "nagios," and "ALERT" to the search field using the search function. This results in a new query: "not cef loss nagios ALERT." This filtered view allows you to concentrate on relevant events that might be related to network issues or performance monitor alerts, as reported by Nagios. You notice that standard fields such as deviceVendor, deviceProduct are absent from these events, indicating they have not been parsed yet and are being displayed RAW. This serves to highlight the potential value of parsing these events using Logger's Regex helper for better understanding and analysis. To delve deeper into specific details within a chosen event, you might need to click on an individual event (if multiple are present) and then use the "RAW (Extract Fields)" icon. Select an event that includes the term "SOFT." The Logger Regex helper will appear as a popup window, assisting in recognizing and parsing fields from RAW events. In this helper, you locate the field containing the measurement labeled RTA, which stands for Round Trip Average. To focus on this specific metric, click on its corresponding Field Name to highlight it. You then rename this field to "RTA" by deleting any existing name in the cell and typing the new term directly into the field. After renaming, a new column should appear within your dataset under this title of RTA. Click OK to confirm these changes and finalize the use of Logger Regex helper for parsing. Finally, you adjust your search parameters to include only those events where RTA is greater than 1 millisecond using the "where" clause in your search query: | where RTA > 1. This allows for a targeted analysis of network performance issues based on round-trip averages exceeding one millisecond. To finalize, you export the results of this focused search to review them more comprehensively outside of Logger if needed. The article discusses HP ArcSight, a comprehensive solution for enterprise security management that operates on an industry-leading N-Tier Architecture. This architecture consists of three main layers: Integration Layer, Core Engine Layer, and Solutions Module layer. The Integration Layer includes Connectors, Connector Appliances, and FlexConnectors used to integrate with various event sources within a network. These events are then normalized and categorized before being sent to the Core Engine Layer for processing. The Core Engine Layer contains three primary products: Logger (a log management engine), ESM/Express (a correlation engine), and TRM/SMS (an automated-response engine). The Logger serves as a long-term forensics store, while the ESM/Express utilizes multi-dimensional correlation to detect incidents in real-time based on contextual data about users, assets, and vulnerabilities. The TRM/SMS acts as an automated response engine capable of mitigating security threats such as zero-day worms through policy-driven quarantine actions. The Solutions Module layer provides analysis rules, reports, and dashboards that enable users to visualize security risk information in a tailored manner. This helps organizations make informed decisions about their security measures and improve overall risk management capabilities. The text is discussing HP ArcSight's capabilities in log collection for organizations, emphasizing its broad support for various technologies, extensive library of connectors, and intelligence provided by its SmartConnectors. Here's a summary:

• Log data can be collected out of the box (OOTB) or custom-built by users, partners, or themselves.

• The ArcSight platform supports a wide range of event sources, including physical devices, network and security devices, hosts, databases, and applications.

• It offers secure and reliable log collection with traffic management controls, simplifying deployment and administration.

• HP ArcSight has the largest library of connectors, supporting more products from more vendors in more categories than any other SIEM vendor.

• Out of the box (OOTB), it supports 350+ event sources, and this number increases by adding new event sources quarterly.

• For unsupported applications or legacy systems, FlexConnector technology is available to convert log files into CEF format for easier digestion and processing.

• SmartConnectors are highly intelligent, providing a robust architecture that enhances the events they collect with additional information.

The article describes how SmartConnectors operate in data collection and transmission processes within a network environment for efficient event handling and security. It highlights three main functions of the SmartConnector: collecting events from devices without requiring additional software (passive or active collection), filtering out unnecessary events based on user interest, and aggregating similar events to reduce redundancy. The process begins with gathering event data from various sources like systems and applications; this is done passively by listening for syslog messages or actively through direct interaction if needed. Afterward, the SmartConnector filters out uninteresting events and aggregates related events that occur simultaneously across devices to save bandwidth and processing power. After filtering and aggregation, the filtered and aggregated data is securely transmitted to a centralized platform like ArcSight ESM. This transmission includes compressing event streams for more efficient network usage and maintaining a reliable connection with ESM through heartbeats, even during brief network outages. During disconnections, events are temporarily stored locally in a cache until connectivity resumes, ensuring that no information is lost. The SmartConnector also manages bandwidth to minimize the impact on network performance, making it an effective tool for monitoring and managing complex networks efficiently while maintaining data integrity and security throughout its processes. HP ArcSight SmartConnectors are designed to manage bandwidth efficiently, even in environments with limited or saturated network connections at remote sites. This is achieved through centralized management using Enterprise Security Manager (ESM), which handles updates, upgrades, and configuration changes seamlessly. The system supports various deployment options including software on servers or virtual machines, as well as an appliance for certain components like SmartConnectors, all of which are free to install and use wherever needed. ArcSight excels in detecting threats effectively through advanced correlation techniques that go beyond traditional SIEM methods. By analyzing seemingly unrelated events within the network, ArcSight's Enterprise Security Manager can detect even stealthy and low-level attacks. This is facilitated by a deep understanding of user activities, network interactions, and their potential impact on business risk. The system employs pattern recognition and behavioral analysis to identify sophisticated threats that other systems might miss, allowing for more focused attention on critical security incidents and potentially reducing resource requirements. In summary, HP ArcSight's capabilities in correlation, detection, and management set it apart from traditional SIEM vendors by providing a more comprehensive approach to threat detection with less reliance on extensive resources. This makes it an attractive solution for organizations seeking enhanced cybersecurity measures without the high costs typically associated with similar technologies. ArcSight Express goes beyond basic correlation building blocks with a powerful and mature correlation engine, capable of handling complex use cases effectively. The system can analyze logs from various sources like badge readers in the data center, alerting when regular personnel access unauthorized areas or connect to secure VPNs while physically present elsewhere. It also considers contextual factors such as asset vulnerabilities, open ports, exploits affecting different types of servers (e.g., Apache vs. IIS), and user attributes including roles, departments, account statuses, and more, all integrated with Identity Management systems for comprehensive analysis. The text discusses how ESM (Enterprise Security Manager) provides context to help users understand and prioritize what's happening in their environment, offering features like real-time alerting, notifications, analysis, investigation capabilities, and powerful reporting tools. It highlights the ease of accessing information through customizable templates and dashboards that show the real-time status of a company based on validated attacks and business risk. The system proactively alerts and notifies users about suspicious or malicious activity in their environment using various transport mechanisms, such as email or SMS, for specific types of threats like DDoS attacks. Additionally, it mentions the availability of standard reports out-of-the-box (OOTB) and customization options to better suit user needs. The provided text discusses features and capabilities of a product, emphasizing its ease of use for creating reports without SQL experience and built-in workflow for incident response. It also highlights APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) scenario handling within the RepSM (Reputation Security Management) tool, demonstrating how an analyst investigates and manages such incidents from detection to containment. 1. **Customization and Reporting**: The product is customizable to meet specific use cases and requirements, offering a graphical report wizard that requires no SQL experience for creation or modification. Reports can be run on-demand or scheduled for email delivery in various formats. 2. **Built-In Workflow and Incident Response**: A key differentiator of the product is its built-in workflow capabilities for incident handling, which include features such as ticketing system integration and mature processes that have been refined over years of use. This allows users to track cases like former employee access attempts, viewing associated events, adding notes, and attaching supporting documentation. 3. **APT Scenario in RepSM**: The text describes a hypothetical APT scenario where an infected machine bypasses security controls, attempts unauthorized communication with command and control centers, and is detected by the RepSM tool. The analyst investigates this incident by identifying malicious destinations accessed by the infected host through integration commands, leading to containment actions. Overall, the product is designed to be user-friendly yet powerful in handling complex cybersecurity incidents using advanced tools like workflow management and integrated detection capabilities within specialized software for APT response. Step 1: Understanding the task To summarize an "incident," I need to understand what exactly is meant by that term and gather information on it from reliable sources. Then, I will create a short and clear summary of the incident's key points, including when and where it happened, the main participants involved, and the overall outcome or consequences. Step 2: Researching the topic After understanding that an "incident" refers to an unplanned event or occurrence, I am going to research various incidents from reliable sources like news articles, books on history or sociology, and credible online databases to gather sufficient information about it. Step 3: Gathering key points From my research, I will compile a list of key points that can serve as the foundation for crafting an accurate and coherent summary. Some examples of these key points could include date and location of the incident; main characters or parties involved (e.g., individuals, groups); nature/type of incident (e.g., accident, crime, natural disaster); consequences experienced by affected parties. Step 4: Creating a concise summary Using the gathered information from step three, I will now synthesize it into a short paragraph that captures the main elements of the incident under discussion without being too detailed or verbose. This summary should be brief enough to convey the primary aspects while providing just enough detail for readers to understand what occurred. Step 5: Proofread and finalize After composing my draft, I will proofread it carefully to make sure that all information is accurate and relevant, with no grammatical errors or typographical mistakes present in the text. Once satisfied with its quality, I will finalize my summary by providing a clear, concise statement of what occurred during the incident.

Disclaimer:

The content in this post is for informational and educational purposes only. It may reference technologies, configurations, or products that are outdated or no longer supported. If there are any comments or feedback, kindly leave a message and will be responded.