SPLK-2003 Splunk SOAR Certified Automation Developer Exam Question and Answers

Splunk SOAR (formerly Phantom) does not natively run on Windows servers as it is primarily designed for Linux environments. However, it can be deployed on a Windows server through virtualization. By running the Phantom OVA (Open Virtualization Appliance) as a virtual machine, users can utilize virtualization platforms like VMware or VirtualBox on a Windows server to host the Phantom environment. This approach allows for the deployment of Phantom in a Windows-centric infrastructure by leveraging virtualization technology to encapsulate the Phantom application within a supported Linux environment provided by the OVA.

The Splunk App for SOAR Export can be downloaded from both GitHub and Splunkbase. Splunkbase is the official source for Splunk apps, where users can find, try, and download apps that enhance and extend the capabilities of Splunk, including the Splunk App for SOAR Export1. GitHub is also a common platform for sharing and collaborating on code, including Splunk apps and integrations. It is important to ensure that you are downloading from the official repository or author to avoid any security risks.

References:

• Splunkbase, the official source for downloading the Splunk App for SOAR Export

The severity of a container in Splunk Phantom can be set manually or automatically during the ingestion process. In addition to these methods, playbooks can also change the severity of a container. Playbooks are automated workflows that define a series of actions based on certain triggers and conditions. Within a playbook, actions can be defined to adjust the severity level of a container depending on the analysis of the event data, the outcome of actions taken, or other contextual factors. This dynamic adjustment allows for a more accurate and responsive incident prioritization as new information becomes available during the investigation process.

The error message "an empty parameters list was passed to phantom.act()" typically indicates that the action being called by the playbook does not have the required parameters to execute. This can happen if the playbook expects certain data to be present in the container's artifacts but finds none. Artifacts in Splunk SOAR (Phantom) are data elements associated with a container (such as an event or alert) that playbooks can act upon. If a playbook action is designed to use data from artifacts as parameters and those artifacts are missing or do not contain the expected data, the playbook cannot execute the action properly, leading to this error.

In Splunk Phantom, user prompts are actions that require human input. To evaluate the results of a user prompt, you can set the response requirement in the action result summary. By setting action_result.summary.response to required, the playbook ensures that it captures the user's input and can act upon it. This is critical in scenarios where subsequent actions depend on the choices made by the user in response to a prompt. Without setting this, the playbook would not have a defined way to handle the user response, which might lead to incorrect or unexpected playbook behavior.

The default embedded search engine used by Splunk SOAR (formerly known as Phantom) is the embedded Splunk search engine. Here’s a detailed explanation:

• Embedded Splunk Search Engine:
• Search Configuration:
• Search Capabilities:
• References:

In summary, the embedded Splunk search engine is the default search engine in Splunk SOAR, providing a seamless and powerful search experience for users within the platform. 😊

ROI Settings dashboard allows you to configure the parameters used to estimate the data displayed in the Automation ROI Summary dashboard. One of the settings that can be configured is the FTE Gained, which is the number of full time employees (FTEs) that are freed up by automation. To calculate this value, Splunk SOAR divides the number of actions run by automation by the number of expected actions an analyst would take, based on minutes per action and analyst hours per day. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as it is one of the settings that can be configured in the ROI Settings dashboard. Option B is incorrect, because time lost is not a setting that can be configured in the ROI Settings dashboard, but a metric that is calculated by Splunk SOAR based on the difference between the analyst minutes per action and the actual minutes per action. Option C is incorrect, because analyst hours per month is not a setting that can be configured in the ROI Settings dashboard, but a value that is derived from the analyst hours per day setting. Option D is incorrect, because annual analyst salary is a setting that can be configured in the ROI Settings dashboard, but not the one that is asked in the question.

1: Configure the ROI Settings dashboard in Administer Splunk SOAR (On-premises)

ROI (Return on Investment) Settings within Splunk SOAR are used to estimate the efficiency and financial impact of the SOAR platform. One of the configurable parameters in these settings is the 'Analyst hours per month'. This parameter helps in calculating the time saved through automation, which in turn can be translated into cost savings and efficiency gains. It reflects the direct contribution of the SOAR platform to operational productivity.

To get playbook results for a single artifact, a user can utilize the contextual menu option directly from the artifact itself. This method allows for targeted execution of a playbook on just that artifact, facilitating a focused analysis or action based on the data within that specific artifact. This approach is particularly useful when a user needs to drill down into the details of an individual piece of evidence or data point within a larger incident or case, allowing for granular control and execution of playbooks in the Splunk SOAR environment.

If, after configuring an external Splunk search head for search in SOAR, the search results do not include content that was previously returned, one possible issue could be that the user account configured on the SOAR side does not have the required permissions (such as the 'phantomsearch' capability) enabled on the Splunk side. This capability is necessary for the SOAR server to execute searches and retrieve results from the Splunk search head.

The correct answer is C because the last step of the 12A2 design methodology is to list the outputs of the playbook design. The outputs are the expected results or outcomes of the playbook execution, such as sending an email, creating a ticket, blocking an IP, etc. The outputs should be aligned with the objectives and goals of the playbook. See Splunk SOAR Certified Automation Developer for more details.

The 12A2 design methodology in the context of Splunk SOAR (formerly Phantom) refers to a structured approach to developing playbooks. The last step in this methodology focuses on defining the outputs of the playbook design. This step is crucial as it outlines what the expected results or actions the playbook should achieve upon its completion. These outputs can vary widely, from sending notifications, creating tickets, updating statuses, to generating reports. Defining the outputs is essential for understanding the playbook's impact on the security operation workflows and how it contributes to resolving security incidents or automating tasks.

 The correct answer is A because the _filter parameter is used to filter the results based on a field value, and the icontain operator is used to perform a case-insensitive substring match. The filePath field is part of the Common Event Format (CEF) standard, and the cef_ prefix is used to access CEF fields in the REST API. The answer B is incorrect because it uses the wrong syntax for the REST API. The answer C is incorrect because it uses the wrong endpoint (result instead of artifact) and the wrong syntax for the REST API. The answer D is incorrect because it uses the wrong syntax for the REST API and the wrong spelling for the icontains operator. Reference: Splunk SOAR REST API Guide, page 18.

To query and display all artifacts that contain the term "results" in a filePath CEF (Common Event Format) value, using the REST API endpoint with a filter parameter is effective. The filter _filter_cef_filePath_icontain="results" is applied to search within the artifact data for filePath fields that contain the term "results", disregarding case sensitivity. This method allows users to precisely locate and work with artifacts that meet specific criteria, aiding in the investigation and analysis processes within Splunk SOAR.

 When configuring Splunk Phantom to integrate with an external Splunk Enterprise instance, it is typically required to have user accounts with sufficient privileges to access data and perform necessary actions. The roles of "superuser" and "administrator" in Splunk provide the broad set of permissions needed for such integration, enabling comprehensive access to data, management capabilities, and the execution of searches or actions that Phantom may require as part of its automated playbooks or investigations.

In Splunk SOAR, when working on a case and analyzing events, items marked as significant evidence are aggregated for review. These evidence items can be collectively viewed on the Investigation page under the Evidence tab. This centralized view allows analysts to easily access and review all marked evidence related to a case, facilitating a streamlined analysis process and ensuring that key information is readily available for investigation and decision-making.

In Splunk Phantom, labels are used to categorize containers and trigger specific automated responses. When a container is created, labels can be assigned to it based on the nature of the event, type of incident, or other criteria. These labels are then matched against playbooks, which have label conditions defined within them. When the conditions are met, the corresponding playbooks are automatically executed. Labels do not directly control service level agreements, default severity, ownership, sensitivity, or app execution permissions.

Splunk Phantom supports incremental backups in addition to full backups. An incremental backup is a type of backup that only copies the data that has changed since the last backup (whether that was a full backup or another incremental backup). This method is more storage-efficient than a full backup because it does not repeatedly back up the same data, reducing the amount of storage required and speeding up the backup process. Differential backups, which record the changes since the last full backup, and partial backups, which allow the selection of specific data to back up, are not standard backup types offered by Splunk Phantom according to its documentation.

The Files tab on the Investigate page allows the user to upload, download, and view files related to an investigation. A user can upload the output from a detonate action to the Files tab for further investigation, such as analyzing the file metadata, content, or hash. Files tab items and artifacts are not the only data sources that can populate active cases, as cases can also include events, tasks, notes, and comments. Files tab items can be added to investigations by using the add file action block or the Add File button on the Files tab. Phantom memory requirements may increase depending on the Files tab usage, as files are stored in the Phantom database. 

The Files tab on the Investigate page in Splunk Phantom is an area where users can manage and analyze files related to an investigation. Users can upload files, such as outputs from a 'detonate file' action which analyzes potentially malicious files in a sandbox environment. The files tab allows users to store and further investigate these outputs, which can include reports, logs, or any other file types that have been generated or are relevant to the investigation. The Files tab is an integral part of the investigation process, providing easy access to file data for analysis and correlation with other incident data.

In Splunk SOAR (formerly known as Phantom), enabling the Logging option for a playbook's settings primarily affects how logging information is displayed on the Investigation page. When this option is enabled, more detailed logging information is made available on the Investigation page, which can be crucial for troubleshooting and understanding the execution flow of the playbook. This detailed information can include execution steps, actions taken, and conditional logic paths followed during the playbook run.

It's important to note that enabling logging does not affect the audit logs or the debug window directly, nor does it write execution details to the spawn.log. Instead, it enhances the visibility and granularity of logs displayed on the specific Investigation page related to the playbook's execution.

References:

• Splunk Documentation and SOAR User Guides typically outline the impacts of enabling various settings within the playbook configurations, explaining how these settings affect the operation and logging within the system. For specific references, consulting the latest Splunk SOAR documentation would provide the most accurate and detailed guidance.

Enabling the Logging option for a playbook’s settings in Splunk SOAR indeed affects the level of detail provided on the Investigation page. Here’s a comprehensive explanation of its impact:

• Investigation Page Logging:
• Benefits of Detailed Logging:
• Non-Impacted Areas:
• Best Practices:
• References:

In summary, the Logging option is a powerful feature that enhances the visibility of playbook operations on the Investigation page, aiding in incident analysis and ensuring that playbooks are functioning correctly. It is an essential tool for security teams to effectively manage and respond to incidents within their environment. 😊

In Splunk SOAR, the appropriate role for an account that will only be used to execute automated tasks is the “Automation” role. This service account role is specifically designed for automated tasks, including REST API operations, playbook execution, and ingestion. It is intended for use by systems rather than human users and provides the necessary permissions for automated interactions with the SOAR platform1.

References:Splunk SOAR documentation on managing roles and permissions1.

In Splunk SOAR, the “Automation” role is designed specifically for accounts that are intended for executing automated tasks. These tasks can include REST API operations, playbook actions, and data ingestion processes. The Automation role is a type of service account role intended for system-to-system interactions and is not meant to be used by human operators. It provides a tailored set of permissions that allows for the execution of automated processes without granting broader access that would be unnecessary or insecure for an automated account.

The designation of this role is critical in maintaining proper security and operational boundaries within the SOAR platform. By restricting the automated account to just the Automation role, Splunk SOAR ensures that automated processes run with the least privilege necessary, reducing the risk of unauthorized actions and maintaining a clear separation between human users and automated systems.

 In Splunk SOAR, it is possible to import external Python libraries, such as the time module, within the scope of a playbook's global code block. The global block allows users to define custom Python code, including imports of standard Python libraries that are included in the Phantom platform's Python environment. This capability enables the extension of playbooks' functionality with additional Python logic, making playbooks more powerful and versatile in their operations.

Django filter queries in Splunk SOAR are performed by appending filter parameters directly to the REST API URL. This allows users to refine their search and retrieve specific data. For example, to filter containers by tags containing the word "sumo", the following URL structure would be used: https:// /rest/container?_filter_tags_contains="sumo". This format enables users to construct dynamic queries that can filter results based on specified criteria within the Django framework used by Splunk SOAR.

The correct way to perform a Django filter query in Splunk SOAR is to add parameters to the URL similar to the following: phantom/rest/container?_filter_tags_contains=“sumo”. This will return a list of containers that have the tag “sumo” in them. You can use various operators and fields to filter the results according to your needs. For more details, see Query for Data and Use filters in your Splunk SOAR (Cloud) playbook to specify a subset of artifacts before further processing. The other options are either incorrect or irrelevant for this question. For example:

•phantom/rest/search/app/contains/“sumo” is not a valid URL for a Django filter query. It will return an error message saying “Invalid endpoint”.

•There is no Django Filter Query Editor in the Administration panel of Splunk SOAR. You can use the REST API Tester to test your queries, but not to edit them.

•There is no SOAR Django App that needs to be installed or configured for performing Django filter queries. Splunk SOAR uses the Django framework internally, but you do not need to install or use any additional apps for this purpose.

In the Splunk SOAR platform, when writing a custom function in Python to handle data such as extracting a domain name from a URL, you can create a new artifact using the Python API call phantom.create_artifact(). This function allows you to specify the details of the new artifact, such as the type, CEF (Common Event Format) data, container it belongs to, and other relevant information necessary to create an artifact within the system.

Decision blocks are most useful when selecting one (or zero) possible paths in the playbook. Decision blocks allow the user to define one or more conditions based on action results, artifacts, or custom expressions, and execute the corresponding path if the condition is met. If none of the conditions are met, the playbook execution ends. Decision blocks are not used for processing different data in parallel, evaluating complex, multi-value results or artifacts, or modifying downstream data in one or more paths in the playbook. Decision blocks within Splunk Phantom playbooks are used to control the flow of execution based on certain criteria. They are most useful when you need to select one or potentially no paths for the playbook to follow, based on the evaluation of specified conditions. This is akin to an if-else or switch-case logic in programming where depending on the conditions met, a particular path is chosen for further actions. Decision blocks evaluate the data and direct the playbook to different paths accordingly, making them a fundamental component for creating dynamic and responsive automation workflows.

 An individual asset action can be manually started with the > action button in the Investigation page. This allows the user to select an asset and an action to perform on it. The other options are not valid ways to start an asset action manually. See Performing asset actions for more information. Individual asset actions in Splunk SOAR can be manually initiated from the Investigation page of a container. The "> action" button on this page allows users to execute specific actions associated with assets directly, enabling on-the-fly operations on artifacts or indicators within a container. This feature is particularly useful for ad-hoc analysis and actions, allowing analysts to respond to or investigate specific aspects of an incident without the need for a full playbook.

The correct answer is D because the default ports that must be configured on Splunk to allow connections from Phantom are SplunkWeb (8000), SplunkD (8089), and HTTP Collector (8088). SplunkWeb is the port used to access the Splunk web interface. SplunkD is the port used to communicate with the Splunk server. HTTP Collector is the port used to send data to Splunk using the HTTP Event Collector (HEC). These ports must be configured on Splunk and Phantom to enable the integration between the two products. See Splunk SOAR Documentation for more details.

To allow connections from Splunk Phantom to Splunk, certain default ports need to be open and properly configured. The default ports include SplunkWeb (8000) for web access, SplunkD (8089) for Splunk's management port, and the HTTP Event Collector (HEC) on port 8088, which is used for ingesting data into Splunk. These ports are essential for the communication between Splunk Phantom and Splunk, facilitating data exchange, search capabilities, and the integration of various functionalities between the two platforms.

In Splunk SOAR, an event is a security occurrence that may require a response. It is ingested from a third-party source and can be labeled to group related events together. The default label for containers is “Events,” which signifies potential threats13. A case, on the other hand, is a container that holds several containers, consolidating multiple events into one logical management unit. Cases can include artifacts and external evidence such as screen captures, analyst notes, and event data from third-party products22. They are used to manage and analyze investigation data tied to specific security events and incidents, providing a structured approach to incident response34.

References:

• Manage the status, severity, and resolution of events in Splunk SOAR (Cloud) - Splunk Documentation
• Managing cases in SOAR - Splunk Lantern
• What is Splunk Phantom (Renamed to Splunk SOAR)? - BlueVoyant
• Overview of cases - Splunk Documentation