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Introduction

Microsoft Azure, often referred to as Azure is a cloud computing platform run by Microsoft. It offers access, management, and the development of applications and services through global data centers. It also provides a range of capabilities, including software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS).

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This setup guide will cover the basic required setup for the SNARE - Azure cloud log collection to work. Security related setup, charges you may incur, and other intricacies related to Microsoft Azure will not be covered in detail in this guide.

Overview

All applications, whether on-premises or in the cloud, must include logging since it aids in security implementation and debugging. Azure provides services in order to collect cloud platform logs to ensure optimal application performance.

Snare Central can be configured to collect activity and resource or diagnostic logs from Azure using Log Analytics API.

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Snare Central needs to request authentication keys from Microsoft Entra ID in order to connect to the Log Analytics API. Once authentication is accepted and the required API permission(s) were , required API permissions are granted, and access control is setup, Snare Central will be able to query the target activity and diagnostic logs using the same API.

About Azure platform logs

Below are the types of logs that can be collected from Azure (Snare Central supports the collection some log types, see details here for the supported log types).

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  • Resource logs provide an insight into operations that were performed within an Azure resource, known as the data plane. Examples include getting a secret from a key vault or making a request to a database.

  • Log contents vary according to the Azure service and resource type.

  • Logs aren't collected until they're routed to a destination, to be enabled and configured via Diagnostic settings. While some Azure resource may have some special type of logs (e.g. Azure NSG - Flow logs)

Snare Central and Log Analytics API communication

In order for the Snare Central to properly communicate to and collect Azure logs using from the Log Analytics API, these things the following steps need to be created and setup first on completed in Azure environment:

  • Register Snare Central in Microsoft Entra ID.

  • Setting up application Access control Create Log Analytics workspace

  • Set up the workspace Access Control (IAM)

  • Create Log Analytics workspace.

  • Export activity and diagnostic logs towards to a Log Analytics workspace.

Register Snare Central in Microsoft Entra ID

To allow Snare Central to access the Log Analytics API, Snare Central must be registered in Microsoft Entra ID formerly known as Azure Active Directory (AD). This allows the Snare Central to establish an identity and specify the needed permission levels for the API access.

...

Expand
title3 important steps when registering an application:

Step 1: App registration

  • Create a dedicated application for Snare Central inside Microsoft Entra ID.

  • Follow steps 1~5 on in this Azure user guide, last output screen should look like this:

    az-app-reg.png

  • Target output:
    Application (client) ID - Generated by Microsoft Entra ID, Snare Central will use this value when requesting consent from tenant admins and when requesting app-only tokens from Microsoft Entra ID. Make sure to save this value, it will be used during Snare Central’s Azure Cloud log collection configuration.

Step 2: Key or client secret generation

  • Generate the necessary client secret that will be used by Snare Central’s authentication towards Log Analytics API.

  • Follow steps 6~10 on in the same Azure user guide, last output screen should look like this:

    image-20240223-030403.png

  • Target output:
    Client Secret: Make sure to copy and save the text in the “Value” column for the generated credential. Microsoft Entra ID only displays this value at the time of its generation, it will be masked after that. Also, it will be used during Snare Central’s Azure Cloud log collection configuration.
    Note: A user is allowed to create and use multiple client credentials.

Step 3: Setting up APIs permissions

  • Configure and setup the required permissions for Log Analytics API connection and interaction with Snare Central.

  • Follow steps 2~7 on in this Azure user guide, step 1 is not needed, since it was already done during App registration and Key or client secret generation.
    Last output screen should look like this:

    image-20240223-031407.pngImage Removedimage-20240301-041123.pngImage Added

  • Target output: Permission is set Data.Read, Type is Delegated and Admin consent required is set to No.

Setting up application Access control (IAM)

To access resources under your subscription, you must assign a role to the application (previously created during App registration). Since Snare Central was associated with the said application, the role assigned to the application will be the basis of Snare Central’s access control towards the Azure subscription.

Without this step, Snare Central will not be able to proceed with its connection and collection towards Azure and you may encounter error: The provided credentials have insufficient access to perform the requested operation if not properly done.

Expand
titleSetting up application’s Access Control

Setting up application’s Access Control

  • Configure the required access control by following the steps below.

  • Go to the Azure portral then search for Subscriptions.

    image-20240223-074453.pngImage Removed

  • Select and click the target subscription, at the subscription’s main page, go and click the Access Control (IAM).

    image-20240223-074720.pngImage Removed

  • Go to Role assignments, then click Add role assignment.

    image-20240223-074925.pngImage Removed

  • Then select Reader then Next, click the Select Member then search for the name of the application (previously created during App registration) then click Select.

    image-20240223-074004.pngImage Removed

  • Click Review + assign and wait for change on Role Assignment to reflect.

    image-20240223-075346.pngImage Removed

  • Target output: Previously created application should have a Reader access control for all resources under your subscription.

Create Log Analytics workspace

When Azure collects logs and data, the information is stored in a workspace. A workspace has a unique workspace ID and resource ID. After you've created a workspace, you can configure the Azure resource(s) to send the activity logs and diagnostic logs to the created workspace.

Snare Central can query and collect logs from the created workspace using the Log Analytics API.

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titleCreating a Log Analytic workspace

Creating a workspace

  • Note(s):

    • To create a Log Analytics workspace, you need an Azure account with an active subscription.

    • A user may opt to skip this step if the user already has a Log Analytics workspace.

  • Follow steps 1~7 on this user guide.

  • Target output: Workspace resource and unique GUID assign for it - The unique GUID assigned to the workspace will be used during Azure cloud log configuration on Snare Central.

Export activity and diagnostic logs towards Log Analytics workspace.

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titleExport activity and diagnostic logs.

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Create Log Analytics workspace

When Azure collects logs and data, the information is stored in a workspace. A workspace has a unique workspace ID and resource ID. After you've created a workspace, you can configure the Azure resource(s) to send the activity logs and diagnostic logs to the created workspace.

Snare Central can query and collect logs from the created workspace using the Log Analytics API.

Expand
titleCreating a Log Analytic workspace

Creating a workspace

  • Note(s):

    • To create a Log Analytics workspace, you need an Azure account with an active subscription.

    • A user may opt to skip this step if the user already has a Log Analytics workspace.

  • Follow steps 1~7 in this user guide.

  • Target output: Workspace resource and unique GUID assigned for it - The unique GUID assigned to the workspace will be used during Azure cloud log configuration on Snare Central.

    image-20240301-010739.pngImage Added

Set up the workspace Access Control (IAM)

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titleSetting up workspace’s Access Control (IAM)

Setting up Access Control (IAM)

  • Note: Without this setup, Snare Central will not be able to proceed with its connection and collection towards Azure, and Snare Central will encounter an error "The provided credentials have insufficient access to perform the requested operation" if not properly done.

  • Configure the required access control by following the steps below.

  • Go to the Azure portral then search for Log Analytics workspace.

    image-20240229-025326.pngImage Added

  • Select and click the previously created Log Analytics workspace, at the Log Analytics workspace’s main page, go and click the Access Control (IAM).

    image-20240229-025714.pngImage Added

  • Click Add Role assignment then select Reader role then click Members.

    image-20240229-030050.pngImage Added

  • At Members page, click + Select Members then search for the name of the application (which was previously created during App registration) then click Select.

    image-20240229-030318.pngImage Added

  • Click Review + assign and wait for the modification on Role Assignment to reflect on Role Assignments list.

  • To check the configured Role Assignment, go to the Access Control (IAM) page, then Role Assignments, look for the configured Role Assignment, it should be present on the list under Reader role.

    image-20240229-031005.pngImage Added

Export activity and diagnostic logs to a Log Analytics workspace.

Expand
titleExporting activity and diagnostic logs to a workspace

Export activity logs to a Log Analytics workspace

  • This setting allows the activity logs to be dumped into a target log analytics workspace for Snare Central to query and collect those logs using the Log Analytics API.

  • Follow steps below for the required settings:.

  • Go to the Azure

    portral

    portal then search for Monitor.

    image-20240226-033537.pngImage Modified

  • At

    On Monitor page,

    look for

    click Activity log

    then click it

    , then click Export Activity Logs.

    image-20240226-033802.pngImage Modified

  • Click Add diagnostic setting,

    then

    fill

    up

    the necessary

    info

    details, then select the target Log Categories and select Send to Log Analytics workspace and select the target Log analytics workspace (which was previously created) then Save.

    image-20240226-061826.pngImage Modified

  • Wait for 1-2 minutes for the settings to reflect on Azure side.

  • Target output: All Azure activity logs is are expected to be dumped into the selected Log Analytics workspace and Snare Central should be able to collect those activity logs.

Export diagnostic logs towards to the Log Analytics workspace

  • This setting allows a resource specific log(s) to be dumped into a target log analytics workspace for Snare Central to query and collect those logs using the Log Analytics API.

  • Follow steps below for the required settings:.

  • Go to the Azure portral then search for the target resource, example: Firewall.

    image-20240226-055843.pngImage Modified

  • Click the target resource and go to its Diagnostic Settings.

    image-20240226-060132.pngImage Removedimage-20240301-045947.pngImage Added

  • Click Add diagnostic setting,

    then

    fill

    up

    the necessary

    info

    details, then select the target Log Categories and select Send to Log Analytics workspace, choose Azure diagnostics and select the target Log analytics workspace (which was previously created) then Save.

    image-20240226-061539.pngImage Modified

  • Target output: All logs for the selected Azure resource is are expected to be dumped into the selected Log Analytics workspace and Snare Central should be able to collect those activity logs.

  • Note: User needs to repeat the above steps for all the resource resources that needs need log collection.

Setting Up Snare Central - Azure Cloud Log Collection

Starting from Snare Central v8.6.0, Azure Cloud Log Collection functionality will be is available as long as you have the proper license for it.

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Expand
titleStep by Step Guide for Setting Up Snare Central - Azure Cloud Log Collection

Step 1. Go to Snare Central and navigate to System > Administrative Tools > Cloud Log Collection Configuration.

image-20240226-085125.png

Step 2. Select Azure Cloud and Click ADD CLOUD COLLECTION button.

image-20240226-073826.png

Step 3. Input all the necessary Azure Cloud Collection Configuration Information and click Test Connection Button to check if the configuration is correct and can properly connect to the Log Analytics API.

  • Name: Any name to easily identify this Azure Cloud Log Collector.

  • Enabled: Can be toggled ON/OFF. This will determine if the Azure Cloud Collector will be enabled and start log collection (This can also be toggled ON/OFF easily later after setup).

  • Supported Logs: " Identifies the target log type/s to be collected collector, see supported log types here.

  • Fetch Interval: Log collection interval (in millisecond) for each log collection request, should not be less than 120000 or greater than 900000.

  • Domain: Fetch the Primary domain value on the main page of the Azure portal site.

  • Tenant ID: Fetch the Tenant ID value on the same Azure portal site.

  • Organization ID: The organization or company name or you can fetch the Name value on the same Azure portal site.

  • Subscription ID: Fetch the user’s subscription ID using this user guide.

    image-20240226-072816.png

  • Workspace ID: Fetch the Workspace ID that was generated during Log Analytics workspace creation process above.

    image-20240226-071927.png

  • Client ID: Fetch the Application (client) ID that was generated during App registration process above.

    image-20240226-070923.png

  • Client Secret: Fetch the “Value” that was generated during Key or client secret generation” process.

    image-20240226-071054.png

  • Additional Notes

    • Optional field that For optional field(s) and information about the collector you may use to Note any related information to this part of the Azure Cloud Log Collector.

      image-20240226-080828.png

    • Test Connection can be used to check whether the input configuration parameters were correct or not.

      image-20240226-080747.pngImage Removed

Step 4. Click ADD button, then you should be able to see the added Azure Cloud Log Collector under the Azure Cloud Collection List.

image-20240226-075244.pngImage Removed

Updating/Deleting - Azure Cloud Log Collection Configuration

If you want to update or delete an existing Azure Cloud - Log Collector that were previously configured, you can simply use the Snare Central’s Cloud Log Collection Configuration Web UI and follow the simple steps below.

Expand
titleStep by Step Guide for Updating Snare Central - Azure Cloud Log Collection

Step 1. Go to Snare Central and navigate to System > Administrative Tools > Cloud Log Collection Configuration.

image-20240226-085125.pngImage Removed

Step 2. Select Azure Cloud and Click the Azure Cloud Log Collector that you want to update.
Collector details panel will open on the right-hand side.
Click the Edit icon on the top right of the details panel.

image-20240226-080314.pngImage Removed

Step 3. In the Edit screen, you can update the configuration and optionally do a Test Connection to check if the updated configuration can successfully connect to the Log Analytics API, then simply click the SAVE button to save the updated configuration.

image-20240226-080542.pngImage Removed

Expand
titleStep by Step Guide for Deleting Snare Central - Azure Cloud Log Collection
Step 1.
    • to check whether the input configuration parameters are correct or not.

      image-20240226-080747.pngImage Added

Step 4. Click ADD button, then you should be able to see the added Azure Cloud Log Collector under the Azure Cloud Collection List.

image-20240226-075244.pngImage Added

Updating/Deleting - Azure Cloud Log Collection Configuration

If you want to update or delete an existing Azure Cloud - Log Collector that were previously configured, you can simply use the Snare Central’s Cloud Log Collection Configuration Web UI and follow the simple steps below.

Expand
titleStep by Step Guide for Updating Snare Central - Azure Cloud Log Collection

Step 1. Go to Snare Central and navigate to System > Administrative Tools > Cloud Log Collection Configuration.

image-20240226-085125.pngImage Added

Step 2. Select Azure Cloud and Click the Azure Cloud Log Collector that you want to update.
Collector details panel will open on the right-hand side.
Click the Edit icon on the top right of the details panel.

image-20240226-080314.pngImage Added

Step 3. In the Edit screen, you can update the configuration and optionally do a Test Connection to check if the updated configuration can successfully connect to the Log Analytics API, then simply click the SAVE button to save the updated configuration.

image-20240226-080542.pngImage Added

Expand
titleStep by Step Guide for Deleting Snare Central - Azure Cloud Log Collection

Step 1. Go to Snare Central and navigate to System > Administrative Tools > Cloud Log Collection Configuration.

image-20240226-085125.pngImage Added

Step 2. Select Azure Cloud and Click the Azure Cloud Collector that you want to delete.
Collector details panel will open on the right-hand side.

image-20240226-083721.pngImage Added


Click the Delete icon on the top right of the details panel.

Troubleshooting Guide

This guide will be your resource for resolving common issues and challenges that you may encounter with Azure - Cloud Log Collection.

  1. Azure Cloud icon is gray in System > Administrative Tools > Cloud Log Collection Configuration Web UI.

Expand
titlePossible Cause and Resolution

When Azure Cloud icon in Cloud Log Providers list is gray, it is possible that Snare Central does not have IA_CLOUD or IA_CLOUD_O365 license.

image-20240229-063028.pngImage Added

 

You can check it via navigating to Status > Snare Health Checker or simply click the heart icon in the lower left corner of Snare Central and scroll down to Snare Central License and select Show Details to view the License Information.

image-20240229-063649.pngImage Added

 

If there are no IA_CLOUD or IA_CLOUD_O365 in the License Information, then you needed the correct license with IA_CLOUD or IA_CLOUD_O365. Once you have the correct license, click License Page button.

image-20240301-062304.pngImage Added

 

In the License Update page, click Browse button and navigate to the correct license then click Load License button.

Image Added

Wait for a while then navigate to System > Administrative Tools > Cloud Log Collection Configuration and you should be able to see Azure Cloud icon is now green and you should be able to Add Azure Cloud Collection.

image-20240229-064012.pngImage Added
  1. Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is gray, and the Status is Not Running (Disabled by configuration)

Expand
titlePossible Cause and Resolution

When your configured Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is gray, it is possible that the log collector is disabled during configuration or toggled off.

image-20240229-071315.pngImage Added

Select the Azure Cloud Log Collector and check if Status: Not Running (Disabled by configuration)

image-20240229-071627.pngImage Added

To enable Azure Cloud Log Collector, simply toggle on the Enable button beside its name in Cloud Log Providers or the one in the upper right corner beside the Edit icon, then click Confirm in the pop-up dialog box.

image-20240229-071540.pngImage Added

Once toggled to ON, the configured Azure Cloud Log Collector icon should be green and enabled. Snare Central will now start collecting Azure activity and platform Logs (assuming that the configuration parameters were valid and working).

  1. Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red, and the Status is Not Running (Could not generate access token for ….)

Expand
titlePossible Cause and Resolution

When the Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red and Status is Not Running (Could not generate access token for ….), it is possible that the Client ID or Client Secret is invalid or expired.

image-20240229-072149.pngImage Added

Go to Azure portal site and check if Tenant ID is correct or if the Client ID and Client Secret is not yet expired or check if the value entered in the Snare Central cloud collection configuration is correct.
See App Registration guide above, for the identification of Client ID and Client Secret.

If the value entered in the Snare Central Configuration is incorrect, you can simply edit it by clicking the Edit icon on the upper left corner.

image-20240229-072346.pngImage Added
  1. Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red, and the Status is Not Running (The provided credentials have insufficient access …)

Expand
titlePossible Cause and Resolution

When the Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red and Status: Not Running (The provided credentials have insufficient access …), it is possible that the Log Analytics API permission is not properly set, or the Log Analytics workspace’s access control was not properly configured.

image-20240229-080954.pngImage Added

Go to the Azure portal site, check the assigned application at Application Registration, and verify if the permissions were properly set. See App Registration guide above, to identify whether API has the correct permission.

image-20240229-074816.pngImage Added

If the permission is correct, then check the Log Analytics workspace’s access control to see if it's properly configured. See Setting up workspace Access Control guide, to identify whether access control is properly configured or not.

image-20240229-075731.pngImage Added

Update and configure the necessary API permission and workspace’s access control then re-enable the collector by Disabling and Enabling Azure Cloud Log Collector again after 5 minutes (it may take a while for the new settings to reflect on the entire Azure environment).

image-20240229-081148.pngImage Added
  1. Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red, and the Status is Not Running (The workspace could not be found for logtype ...)

Expand
titlePossible Cause and Resolution

When the Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red and Status: Not Running (The workspace could not be found for logtype ...), it is possible that the configured Workspace ID is incorrect or does not exist.

image-20240301-004550.pngImage Added

Go to Azure portal site and search for the target Log Analytics workspace and check if the Workspace ID value entered in the Snare Central cloud collection configuration is correct.

image-20240301-010828.pngImage Added

If the Workspace ID value entered in the Snare Central Configuration is incorrect, you can simply edit and update it by clicking the Edit icon on the upper left corner.

If Log Analytics workspace does not exist, then you need to create a new Log Analytic workspace (See Create Log Analytics workspace guide), setup the necessary access control (See Setting up workspace Access Control guide) and edit the Workspace ID on the collector’s configuration.

image-20240301-005620.pngImage Added
  1. Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red, and the Status is Not Running (Cannot connect to microsoft API, please check the IP configuration …)

Expand
titlePossible Cause and Resolution

When the Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red and the Status is Status: Not Running (Cannot connect to microsoft API, please check the IP configuration of the Snare Central.), it is possible that the IP Configuration is incorrect.

image-20240301-011948.pngImage Added

Go to Snare Central and navigate to System > Administrative Tools > Configuration Wizard > IP Address Configuration then check if the IP Configuration parameters were correct (most of the time the problem lies on the Domain Name Server(s)).

Image Added

After updating the necessary IP Configuration parameter/s, re-enable the collector by Disabling and Enabling Azure Cloud Log Collector again after 1 minutes.

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  1. Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red, and the Status is Not Running (Cannot connect to proxy server, ….)

Expand
titlePossible Cause and Resolution

When the Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red and the Status is Status: Not Running (Cannot connect to proxy server, ….), it is possible that the proxy was enabled in the Snare Central with incorrect settings.

image-20240301-013617.pngImage Added

Go to Snare Central and navigate to System > Administrative Tools > Configuration Wizard > Network Services then Proxy Settings, check the following:

  • Check if the value of Proxy address and Proxy port were correct.

    image-20240301-064432.pngImage Added

  • If proxy address and port were correct, check if the proxy server is up and running.

  • If proxy server is OK, check the Snare Central’s firewall settings here, System > Administrative Tools > Configuration Wizard > Firewall Setup (example: if target proxy port was allowed or not), same goes with the firewall settings of the proxy server and port; check if they were properly configured.

After updating the necessary Proxy Settings or configuring the proper firewall settings, re-enable the collector by Disabling and Enabling Azure Cloud Log Collector again after 1 minute.

image-20240301-042308.pngImage Added
  1. Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red, and the Status is Not Running (Invalid proxy credentials...)

Expand
titlePossible Cause and Resolution

When the Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red and the Status is Status: Not Running (Invalid proxy credentials, please re-configure these parameters.), it is possible that the proxy was enabled in the Snare Central with incorrect settings.

image-20240301-023744.pngImage Added

Go to Snare Central and navigate to System > Administrative Tools > Configuration Wizard > Network Services then Proxy Settings, check the following.

  • Check if the value of Proxy user and Proxy password were correct.

    image-20240301-063810.pngImage Added

  1. Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red, and the Status is Not Running (Invalid proxy type…)

Expand
titlePossible Cause and Resolution

When the Azure Cloud Log Collector icon is red and the Status is Status: Not Running (Invalid proxy type, please re-configure 'type' based on the actual proxy server type.), it is possible that the proxy was enabled in the Snare Central with incorrect settings.

image-20240301-024648.pngImage Added

Go to Snare Central and navigate to System > Administrative Tools > Cloud Log Collection Configuration.

image-20240226-085125.pngImage Removed

Step 2. Select Azure Cloud and Click the Azure Cloud Collector that you want to delete.
Collector details panel will open on the right-hand side.

image-20240226-083721.pngImage Removed

Click the Delete icon on the top right of the details panel.Configuration Wizard > Network Services then Proxy Settings, check the following:

  • Check if the value of Proxy type is correct.

    image-20240301-063843.pngImage Added

     

After updating the necessary Proxy Settings or configuring the proper firewall settings, re-enable the collector by Disabling and Enabling Azure Cloud Log Collector again after 1 minute.

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