Microsoft Windows Sysmon

About The Device

Windows Sysmon, short for System Monitor, is a powerful system monitoring utility developed by Microsoft. Designed to enhance the visibility of system activity and aid in the detection of malicious behavior, Sysmon provides detailed information about processes, network connections, registry changes, and more. Its features include the logging of process creation, termination, and network connections, allowing security professionals to analyze system behavior and identify potential threats.

Device Information

 Entity

Particulars

 Entity

Particulars

Vendor Name

Microsoft

Product Name

Windows Sysmon 

Type of Device

Hosted

Collection Method

Log Type

 Ingestion label

Preferred Logging Protocol - Format

Log collection method

Log Type

 Ingestion label

Preferred Logging Protocol - Format

Log collection method

Windows Sysmon

 WINDOWS_SYSMON

NXLog = JSON
Splunk = XML

 CyberHub

Port Requirements

Source

Destination

Port

Source

Destination

Port

Microsoft Windows Sysmon

CyberHub

6514 (TLS)

To facilitate secure communication and align with our best practice, we strongly encourage the use of Transport Layer Security (TLS) between your security devices and our Adaptive MxDR platform for event forwarding.

While we understand that TLS support may not be available on all devices, if your devices do support TLS communication, we recommend utilizing port 6514 for seamless integration.

In some cases, the upgraded version of the device might incorporate TLS support without prior notice. If you come across such a scenario or for further assistance in configuring TLS, we kindly ask you to reach out to your dedicated Adaptive MxDR Service Delivery Lead.

Device Configuration

Pre-requisite:

Contact Adaptive MxDR on-boarding engineer to get CyberHub certificate.

To Configure the NXLog Agent for log forwarding

  1. Download and install the NXLog agent from the following location: https://nxlog.co/products/nxlog-community-edition/download.

  2. Navigate to services.msc and stop the nxlog service.

  3. Navigate to the folder "C:\Program Files\nxlog\data" and delete the file "configcache.dat" if it is present.

  4. Navigate to the installed location "C:\Program Files\nxlog\conf." Rename the attached file to "nxlog.conf" and copy it into this folder.

  5. Replace the placeholder "CyberHub IP" with the actual CyberHub IP in the nxlog.conf file.

  6. Copy the certificate on Windows machine where nxlog agent is installed and mentioned this cert path in nxlog.conf against "CAFile" on line number 55.

  7. Now, start the nxlog service from services.msc.

  8. NXLog agent logs will be available at the location "C:\Program Files\nxlog\data\nxlog.log".

  9. The log flow should work, and you can check it using tcpdump with the command "tcpdump -AA port 6514"

To Configure the Splunk for log forwarding

Pre-requisite:

  1. All the windows machines should have Splunk Forwarder installed.

  2. All the windows machines Sysmon logs should be forwarded to Splunk indexer with inputs.conf file with property renderXml=true to forward logs in xml format.

Steps to perform on Splunk Server

  1. Navigate to the Splunk installation root folder: %Splunk_Installation_Path%\etc\system\local\outputs.conf. All the configuration changes must to be performed on the file in the local folder.

  2. Edit the outputs.conf file and do one of the configuration steps: [ If you do not have existing syslog configuration, add the following configuration under syslog. ]

    [syslog] defaultGroup = AccentureMxDR [syslog:AccentureMxDR] server = Cyberhub_IP_Address:Port_Number type = tcp maxEventSize = 16384 sendCookedData = false priority = NO_PRI syslogSourceType = XmlWinEventLog ==================================== ------- Notes ----------- ==================================== Server: Add Cyberhub IP address and Port number Type: Default is udp for Splunk, but MDR recommends TCP. MaxEventSize: MDR recommended value. All events exceeding this size will be truncated.
  3. Edit the props.conf file and add the below routing attribute at the bottom.

    [source::WinEventLog:*] TRANSFORMS-WinEventLog=AccentureMxDRStanza - This can be any name.
  4. Save and close the file.

  5. Navigate to the Splunk installation root folder %Splunk_Installation_Path%\etc\system\local\transforms.conf. All the configuration changes must be performed on the file in the local folder.

  6. Edit the transforms.conf file and add the below stanza at the bottom.

  7. Edit $SPLUNK_HOME/etc/system/local/transforms.conf and set rules to match your props.conf stanza (i.e. AccentureMxDRStanza):

    [AccentureMxDRStanza] # This is stanza name which is defined in props.conf. REGEX=. DEST_KEY=_TCP_ROUTING FORMAT=AccentureMxDR #This is group name which defined in outputs.conf file
  8. Restart the splunk service.

All these file attributes are case-sensitive and has to be used as mentioned.

Integration Parameters

Parameters required from customer for Integration.

Property

Default Value

Description

Property

Default Value

Description

IP Address

Microsoft Windows Sysmon interface IP address

Hostname or IP address of the device which forwards logs to the CyberHub.

About Accenture:
Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world’s leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services—creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent and innovation led company with 738,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world’s leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. We are uniquely able to deliver tangible outcomes because of our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Accenture Song. These capabilities, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360° value, enable us to help our clients succeed and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

About Accenture Security
Accenture Security is a leading provider of end-to-end cybersecurity services, including advanced cyber defense, applied cybersecurity solutions and managed security operations. We bring security innovation, coupled with global scale and a worldwide delivery capability through our network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Helped by our team of highly skilled professionals, we enable clients to innovate safely, build cyber resilience and grow with confidence. Follow us @AccentureSecure on Twitter or visit us at www.accenture.com/security.

Legal notice: Accenture, the Accenture logo, and other trademarks, service marks, and designs are registered or unregistered trademarks of Accenture and its subsidiaries in the United States and in foreign countries. All trademarks are properties of their respective owners. This document is intended for general informational purposes only and does not take into account the reader’s specific circumstances, and may not reflect the most current developments. Accenture disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all liability for the accuracy and completeness of the information in this presentation and for any acts or omissions made based on such information. Accenture does not provide legal, regulatory, audit, or tax advice. Readers are responsible for obtaining such advice from their own legal counsel or other licensed professionals.