Active Directory JSON - Classic Collector

The Sumo Logic app for Active Directory JSON (2012+) helps you monitor your Windows Active Directory deployment by analyzing Active Directory logs in the JSON based event log format. The app includes predefined searches and dashboards that provide user activity into your environment for real-time analysis of overall usage.

We recommend using the Active Directory JSON App in combination with the Windows JSON App.

Log Types

Standard Windows event channels include:

• Security
• System
• Application

Custom event channels, such as PowerShell or Internet Explorer are also supported.

Sample Log Messages

{
    "TimeCreated":"2020-10-12T08:00:02+000001500Z",
    "EventID":"5137",
    "Task":14081,
    "Correlation":"",
    "Keywords":"Audit Success",
    "Channel":"Security",
    "Opcode":"Info",
    "Security":"",
    "Provider":{
        "Guid":"{54849625-5478-4994-a5ba-3e3b0328c30d}",
        "Name":"Microsoft-Windows-Security-Auditing"
    },
    "EventRecordID":5383143,
    "Execution":{
        "ThreadID":880,
        "ProcessID":776
    },
    "Version":0,
    "Computer":"EC2AMAZ-6D5CO5AB123.test.format",
    "Level":"Information",
    "EventData":{
        "DSType":"%%14676",
        "SubjectUserSid":"S-1-5-21-916893464-2020-10-12T08:00:02-2020-10-12T08:00:02-500",
        "OpCorrelationID":"{cdb02928-b7a6-4373-9b12-4e371f30c30d}",
        "SubjectUserName":"Administrator",
        "DSName":"test.format",
        "AppCorrelationID":"-",
        "ObjectGUID":"{56bf5011-b09d-43f5-bcd2-06a1d917c402}",
        "ObjectDN":"CN=TomJerry,OU=Domain Controllers,DC=test,DC=format",
        "SubjectLogonId":"0x73199",
        "ObjectClass":"computer",
        "SubjectDomainName":"TEST"
    },
    "Message":"A directory service object was created.\r\n\t\r\nSubject:\r\n\tSecurity ID:\t\tTEST\\Administrator\r\n\tAccount Name:\t\tAdministrator\r\n\tAccount Domain:\t\tTEST\r\n\tLogon ID:\t\t0x73199\r\n\t\r\nDirectory Service:\r\n\tName:\ttest.format\r\n\tType:\tActive Directory Domain Services\r\n\t\r\nObject:\r\n\tDN:\tCN=TomJerry,OU=Domain Controllers,DC=test,DC=format\r\n\tGUID:\t{56bf5011-b09d-43f5-bcd2-06a1d917c402}\r\n\tClass:\tcomputer\r\n\t\r\nOperation:\r\n\tCorrelation ID:\t{cdb02928-b7a6-4373-9b12-4e371f30c30d}\r\n\tApplication Correlation ID:\t-"
}

Sample Query

The sample query is from Successes Vs Failures panel from Active Directory Service Failures dashboard.

_sourceCategory=Labs/windows-jsonformat
| json "EventID", "Computer", "Keywords" as event_id, host, keywords nodrop
| if (keywords = "Audit Failure", "Failure", "Success") as status
| where host matches "*"
| timeslice 1h
| count as EventCount by  status, _timeslice
| transpose row _timeslice column status

Collecting Logs

This section provides instructions on configuring log collection for the Active Directory JSON App so that logs are collected from the Microsoft Windows Event Log and ingested into Sumo Logic.

Configure a Collector and a Source

To configure a collector and source, do the following:

1. Configure an Installed Windows collector through the user interface or from the command line.
2. Configure either a local or remote Windows Event Log source. To configure a Windows Event Log source set the following:

• Event Format. Select Collect using JSON format.

Collect using JSON format.** Events are formatted into JSON that is designed to work with Sumo Logic features, making it easier for you to reference your data.

• Event Collection Level. When JSON format is selected you have to select Complete Message from the dropdown. Complete Message will ingest the entire event content along with metadata.

For more information on local or remote Windows Event Log Source configuration, refer to Local Windows Event Log Source and Remote Windows Event Log Source.

Installing the Active Directory JSON App

To install the app:

1. From the Sumo Logic navigation, select App Catalog.
2. In the Search Apps field, search for and then select your app.
   
3. Optionally, you can scroll down to preview the dashboards included with the app. Then, click Install App (sometimes this button says Add Integration).
   note

   If your app has multiple versions, you'll need to select the version of the service you're using before installation.

4. On the next configuration page, under Select Data Source for your App, complete the following fields:
   • Data Source. Select one of the following options:
     • Choose Source Category and select a source category from the list; or
     • Choose Enter a Custom Data Filter, and enter a custom source category beginning with an underscore. For example, _sourceCategory=MyCategory.
   • Folder Name. You can retain the existing name or enter a custom name of your choice for the app.
   • All Folders (optional). Default location is the Personal folder in your Library. If desired, you can choose a different location and/or click New Folder to add it to a new folder.
5. Click Next.
6. Look for the dialog confirming that your app was installed successfully.
   

Once an app is installed, it will appear in your Personal folder or the folder that you specified. From here, you can share it with other users in your organization. Dashboard panels will automatically start to fill with data matching the time range query received since you created the panel. Results won't be available immediately, but within about 20 minutes, you'll see completed graphs and maps.

Viewing Active Directory JSON Dashboards

Filter with template variables

Template variables provide dynamic dashboards that can rescope data on the fly. As you apply variables to troubleshoot through your dashboard, you view dynamic changes to the data for a quicker resolution to the root cause. You can use template variables to drill down and examine the data on a granular level. For more information, see Filter with template variables.

Service Activity

The Active Directory Service Activity dashboard provides insights into overall active directory services like messages overtime, logon/off activity, object creation, and deletion.

Use this dashboard to:

• Monitor object creation and deletion activities.
• Monitor rights assigned to a user or rights removed from a user.
• Monitor logon/logoff activity by various logon types.
• Monitor top 10 activities with concise message.

Service Failures

The Active Directory Service Failures dashboard provides an at-a-glance view of success, failures, and audit failures overtime.

Use this dashboard to:

• Monitor success and failure trends to check for any deviation from normal.
• Monitor all failed audit events along with administrative activities by event categories.
• Track IP addresses associated with failed activities.