building search query

[dilenthakuri]

Hi Guys,

I am just wondering if anyone can put me in the right direction - I have a question about search queries in Splunk. For example, in the below 2 simple query:

A. sourcetype="WinEventLog" EventCode=4688 New_Process_Name="*powershell.exe" | stats count by New_Process_Name, Process_Command_Line

B. sourcetype="XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-Sysmon/Operational” EventID=1 Image=”*powershell.exe” | stats count by Image, CommandLine

How do I know the following fields exists in that particular log?

1. New_Process_Name

2. Process_Command_Line

3. Image

etc.

Thanks guys!!

[richgalloway]

You know the New_Process_Name and Image fields exist because otherwise you will get no results from the base searches.  If Process_Command_Line does not exist then stats will return no results.

[dilenthakuri]

Thanks @richgalloway !

So "Base Searches" you mean just run the below query first 

sourcetype="WinEventLog" EventCode=4688

And then, look for the field that can be appended to the search query further? Otherwise, it's not possible to remember or memorise ALL the field values while building the query. I see multiple of like below parameters set in the query:

• Process_Command_Line
• CommandLine
• ParentCommandLine
• Image
• ParentImage
• TargetFilename
• User

Or, we just have to know all of these by heart? What's the method you guys use to build complex queries? 

Thank you.

[richgalloway · Accepted solution]

The base query (outside of a dashboard) is the part before the first pipe.

One does not need to memorize available fields, although that often comes from repeated use.  Instead, do your query building in Verbose Mode and consult the "Interesting fields" area to see what is available.

[dilenthakuri]

Thank you @richgalloway What do you mean by 'Outside of the Dashboard'? Sorry

[richgalloway]

In a dashboard, the term "base search" has a different meaning.