Splunk® Enterprise

Securing the Splunk Platform

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Splunk Enterprise version 7.2 will no longer be supported as of April 30, 2021. See the Splunk Software Support Policy for details. For information about upgrading to a supported version, see How to upgrade Splunk Enterprise.
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Convert to LDAP from Splunk authentication

If you move from Splunk authentication to LDAP, it's important to note that Splunk accounts are not automatically disabled and take precedence over LDAP accounts.

If you have converted from Splunk authentication system to LDAP, you might need to delete Splunk users to ensure that you're using LDAP credentials. This is only necessary if usernames are the same in both systems.

Secure local Splunk accounts

If you have configured Splunk Enterprise to use LDAP authentication, it's important to be aware that all local accounts using Splunk authentication are still present and active, including the "admin" account. You need to consider the security implications of this.

To remove all the current local accounts when enabling LDAP authentication:

  • Move the $SPLUNK_HOME/etc/passwd file to passwd.bak.
  • Create a blank $SPLUNK_HOME/etc/passwd file.
  • Restart Splunk Enterprise.

Keep in mind that local Splunk accounts can still be created when Splunk Enterprise is in LDAP authentication mode. Also, any local Splunk accounts that must remain for backup or disaster-recovery purposes should use a very strong password.

When using LDAP, make sure that your LDAP implementation enforces:

  • Strong password requirements for length and complexity.
  • A low incorrect attempt threshold for password lockout.

Saved searches

If your LDAP usernames are the same as the names you previously used in the built-in system (but then deleted), saved searches should work without any conversion.

If you have existing saved searches created when your system was using Splunk authentication and you'd like to transfer them to an LDAP user of a different name, edit the metadata:

1. Modify $SPLUNK_HOME/etc/apps/<app_name>/metadata/local.meta and swap the owner = <username> field under each savedsearch permission stanza to the corresponding LDAP username and save your changes.

2. Restart Splunk Enterprise for your changes to take effect.

Last modified on 09 June, 2016
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This documentation applies to the following versions of Splunk® Enterprise: 6.3.0, 6.3.1, 6.3.2, 6.3.3, 6.3.4, 6.3.5, 6.3.6, 6.3.7, 6.3.8, 6.3.9, 6.3.10, 6.3.11, 6.3.12, 6.3.13, 6.3.14, 6.4.0, 6.4.1, 6.4.2, 6.4.3, 6.4.4, 6.4.5, 6.4.6, 6.4.7, 6.4.8, 6.4.9, 6.4.10, 6.4.11, 6.5.0, 6.5.1, 6.5.2, 6.5.3, 6.5.4, 6.5.5, 6.5.6, 6.5.7, 6.5.8, 6.5.9, 6.5.10, 6.6.0, 6.6.1, 6.6.2, 6.6.3, 6.6.4, 6.6.5, 6.6.6, 6.6.7, 6.6.8, 6.6.9, 6.6.10, 6.6.11, 6.6.12, 7.0.0, 7.0.1, 7.0.2, 7.0.3, 7.0.4, 7.0.5, 7.0.6, 7.0.7, 7.0.8, 7.0.9, 7.0.10, 7.0.11, 7.0.13, 7.1.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 7.1.4, 7.1.5, 7.1.6, 7.1.7, 7.1.8, 7.1.9, 7.1.10, 7.2.0, 7.2.1, 7.2.2, 7.2.3, 7.2.4, 7.2.5, 7.2.6, 7.2.7, 7.2.8, 7.2.9, 7.2.10, 7.3.0, 7.3.1, 7.3.2, 7.3.3, 7.3.4, 7.3.5, 7.3.6, 7.3.7, 7.3.8, 7.3.9, 8.0.0, 8.0.1, 8.0.2, 8.0.3, 8.0.4, 8.0.5, 8.0.6, 8.0.7, 8.0.8, 8.0.9, 8.1.0, 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.3

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