Windows Event Forwarding to Linux server using Nxlog

Introduction

Windows Event Forwarding (WEF) allows the collection of event logs from multiple Windows machines and their forwarding to a centralized server. Using Nxlog, you can send these logs to a Linux server for storage and analysis. This documentation provides a step-by-step guide to set up Windows Event Forwarding using Nxlog to send logs to a Linux server.

Prerequisites

• Windows Server or Workstation: The machine that will send logs.
• Linux Server: The machine that will receive logs.
• Nxlog: Download the latest version of Nxlog for Windows from Nxlog's official website.
• Network Connectivity: Ensure both machines can communicate over the network.
• Rsyslog: Download the latest version of Rsyslog for Linux server or workstation.
  

Installing Nxlog on Windows

Configuring Nxlog on Windows

1. Open Configuration File:

   • Edit the Nxlog configuration file located at C:\Program Files\nxlog\conf\nxlog.conf.

2. Configure File:

   • Add the following lines to capture Windows Event Logs and send the logs : 
     # Input Module

     <Input eventlog>

         Module im_msvistalog

         ReadFromLast True

         <QueryXML>

     <QueryList>

     <Query Id='1'>

     <Select Path='Application'>*</Select>

     <Select Path='Security'>*</Select>

     <Select Path='System'>*</Select>

     </Query>

     </QueryList>

          </QueryXML>

     </Input>

     
     

     # Output Module

     <Output out>

         Module om_udp

         Host 192.168.20.24  

         Port 514 

        # Exec $raw_event = "<" + $syslog_severity + ">" + $time + " " + $hostname + " " + $procname + ": " + $raw_event; 

         Exec parse_syslog_ietf();

     </Output>

     
     

     # Route

     <Route r>

         Path eventlog => out

     </Route>

     
     

     # Include any other necessary modules/extensions

     <Extension _syslog>

         Module      xm_syslog

     </Extension>

      

Installing Rsyslog on Linux

• Install Rsyslog:

  • For Ubuntu, run:
    sudo apt update sudo apt install rsyslog

• Enable Rsyslog:

  • Ensure Rsyslog is enabled and started:
    sudo systemctl enable rsyslog sudo systemctl start rsyslog

Configuring Rsyslog on Linux

1. Open Configuration File:

   • Edit /etc/rsyslog.conf or create a new config file in /etc/rsyslog.d/.

2. Configure Rsyslog to Listen for UDP:module(load="imudp") # Load UDP listener input(type="imudp" port="514")
   

3. Define Output File:

   • Specify where to store the incoming logs:
   *.* /var/log/windows_events.log

4. Save and Exit:

   • Save the configuration file and restart Rsyslog:
     sudo systemctl restart rsyslog

Firewall Configuration

Windows Firewall

1. Open Windows Defender Firewall:

   • Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.

2. Allow Port 514:

   • In the left pane, click Advanced settings.
   • Select Inbound Rules and click on New Rule.
   • Choose Port, then click Next.
   • Select UDP and enter 514 in the Specific local ports field.
   • Allow the connection and complete the rule setup.

Firewalld Configuration on Linux

1. Open Port 514 for UDP:

   sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=514/udp

2. Reload Firewalld:

   sudo firewall-cmd --reload

3. Verify Open Ports:

   sudo firewall-cmd --list-all

Verifying Event Forwarding

1. Check Nxlog Status on Windows:

   nxlog -v
   

2. Monitor Logs on Linux:

   • Use the following command to view the log file:
   tail -f /var/log/windows_events.log

3. Review Rsyslog Logs:

   • If issues arise, check Rsyslog logs located at /var/log/syslog or /var/log/messages.