Kibana Security Solution Bug Error On Revert After Importing Modified Rule

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Introduction

In this article, we delve into a specific bug encountered within the security solution of Kibana, version 8.19.0. This bug manifests as an error when performing a revert action after importing a modified rule. Understanding the intricacies of this bug, its causes, and potential solutions is crucial for maintaining the integrity and reliability of security rules within the Kibana environment. We will explore the steps to reproduce the bug, the observed behavior, the expected behavior, and provide a detailed analysis to aid in its resolution. This article aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for developers, security analysts, and anyone working with Kibana's security features.

Bug Description

The bug occurs when a user imports a modified prebuilt rule and then attempts to revert it to its original Elastic version. The preview drawer, which should display the differences between the modified rule and the original, appears empty. Additionally, an error message is displayed, and the rule fails to revert to its previous version, despite a confirmation toast notification appearing. This issue can lead to confusion and potential loss of configuration, making it critical to address.

Detailed Breakdown of the Bug

When dealing with security rules, especially in a dynamic environment, modifications are inevitable. Users often need to customize prebuilt rules to align with their specific security requirements and threat landscape. Kibana provides the functionality to modify, export, and import rules, allowing for flexibility and collaboration. However, the process of reverting to a previous version is equally important, especially when changes introduce unintended consequences or when a roll-back is necessary due to new insights or threat intelligence. The bug we are discussing undermines this crucial functionality.

The core issue lies in the discrepancy between the expected and actual behavior of the revert action. When a user clicks the 'Revert to Elastic version' button, Kibana should display a preview of the changes that will be undone. This preview serves as a critical checkpoint, allowing the user to verify the action before committing to it. The fact that the preview drawer appears empty indicates a failure in retrieving or displaying the original rule data. Moreover, the error message displayed after clicking the 'Revert' button suggests an underlying issue in the reversion process itself. The combination of an empty preview and an error message, coupled with the rule not reverting, highlights the severity of this bug.

The appearance of a confirmation toast notification despite the error further complicates the situation. This false positive can mislead users into believing that the revert action was successful, potentially leading to further issues down the line. It is essential to ensure that the UI accurately reflects the outcome of actions, especially when dealing with critical configurations such as security rules.

Impact of the Bug

The impact of this bug extends beyond mere inconvenience. If a user is unable to revert a modified rule, they may be forced to manually reconstruct the original configuration, which is a time-consuming and error-prone process. In a security context, this can be particularly problematic, as it may leave the system vulnerable to threats while the rule is being manually restored. Furthermore, the confusion caused by the error message and the false confirmation notification can erode trust in the security solution, making users hesitant to modify rules in the future. Maintaining user confidence in the functionality of security tools is paramount, and bugs like this can have a detrimental effect.

Environment Details

  • Kibana/Elasticsearch Stack Version: 8.19.0
    • VERSION: 8.19.0
    • BUILD: 85276
    • COMMIT: e8d39e03e54d31dd03a19f45f51d46a9e0e8e462
  • Browser: Google Chrome Version 138.0.7204.158 (Official Build) (64-bit)

Importance of Environment Details

Providing detailed environment information is crucial for effective bug reporting and resolution. The specific versions of Kibana, Elasticsearch, and the browser can significantly impact the behavior of the software. Different versions may have different codebases, dependencies, and configurations, which can influence how bugs manifest. For example, a bug that is present in version 8.19.0 may have been fixed in a later version, or it may not exist in an earlier version. Similarly, browser-specific issues can arise due to differences in how browsers interpret and render web applications.

The inclusion of the build number and commit hash provides even more granularity, allowing developers to pinpoint the exact version of the software that was running when the bug was encountered. This level of detail can be invaluable for debugging and identifying the root cause of the issue. In this case, the provided environment details clearly indicate that the bug was observed in Kibana version 8.19.0, build 85276, with commit hash e8d39e03e54d31dd03a19f45f51d46a9e0e8e462, using Google Chrome version 138.0.7204.158. This information enables developers to reproduce the bug in a controlled environment and investigate its underlying causes.

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Ensure Kibana 8.19.0 is running.
  2. Install a prebuilt rule and modify its name, description, and fields.
  3. Observe the Modified badge displayed with the prebuilt rule and its modified fields upon saving.
  4. Export the rule after modifications and revert the same rule after exporting.
  5. Import the same modified rule with overriding rule ID.
  6. Open the rule after importing successfully; all modified data should be displayed on the rule detail page.
  7. Click on Three dots > Revert to Elastic version.
  8. Observe the preview drawer opens up, displaying empty data, indicating data loss.
  9. Click on Revert button and observe an error displayed, but a revert confirmation toast notification is also displayed.

Detailed Explanation of Reproduction Steps

These steps provide a clear and concise guide for reproducing the bug. Each step is crucial in setting up the specific conditions that trigger the issue. Let's break down each step to understand its significance:

  1. Ensure Kibana 8.19.0 is running: This step is fundamental because the bug is specific to this version. Running a different version may not reproduce the issue.
  2. Install a prebuilt rule and modify its name, description, and fields: This step involves setting up a scenario where a rule has been customized. Modifying the rule ensures that there is a difference between the current state and the original Elastic version, which is necessary for the revert action to have an effect. The specific modifications (name, description, fields) cover a range of common customizations, making the reproduction scenario more realistic.
  3. Observe the Modified badge displayed with the prebuilt rule and its modified fields upon saving: This step is a verification point. The appearance of the 'Modified' badge confirms that the previous step was successful and that Kibana recognizes the rule has been altered. This visual cue is important for ensuring that the setup is correct before proceeding.
  4. Export the rule after modifications and revert the same rule after exporting: This step introduces the export and revert actions, which are central to the bug. Exporting the rule creates a backup of the modified version, while reverting it should, in theory, restore the rule to its original state. This sequence sets the stage for importing the modified rule back into Kibana.
  5. Import the same modified rule with overriding rule ID: This step simulates a scenario where a modified rule is being re-introduced into the system. The 'overriding rule ID' is an important detail, as it ensures that the imported rule replaces the existing one, rather than creating a duplicate. This is a common scenario when updating rules or sharing them between different environments.
  6. Open the rule after importing successfully; all modified data should be displayed on the rule detail page: This is another verification step. It confirms that the import was successful and that the modified data is correctly reflected in Kibana. This ensures that the system is in the expected state before attempting the revert action.
  7. Click on Three dots > Revert to Elastic version: This step initiates the problematic action. Clicking 'Revert to Elastic version' should trigger the preview drawer, which is where the bug manifests.
  8. Observe the preview drawer opens up, displaying empty data, indicating data loss: This is the first sign of the bug. The empty preview drawer indicates that Kibana is failing to retrieve or display the original rule data, which is a critical component of the revert functionality.
  9. Click on Revert button and observe an error displayed, but a revert confirmation toast notification is also displayed: This step completes the reproduction. The error message confirms that the revert action failed, while the contradictory confirmation toast notification highlights the UI inconsistency. This final observation encapsulates the core issues of the bug: failed reversion, error message, and misleading UI feedback.

By following these steps, anyone can reliably reproduce the bug and verify that it is indeed present in Kibana 8.19.0.

Current Behavior

Error showing on performing revert action for imported modified rule.

Elaboration on the Current Behavior

The current behavior, characterized by an error when reverting an imported modified rule, disrupts the expected workflow and can lead to significant user frustration. To fully grasp the implications of this behavior, let's break it down into its constituent parts:

  1. Error Display: The most direct manifestation of the bug is the appearance of an error message. This message, while potentially informative to developers, can be cryptic and confusing for end-users. It signals that something has gone wrong, but without a clear explanation of the root cause or a suggested course of action, it leaves the user in a state of uncertainty. The error message may not provide sufficient context to understand why the revert action failed, making it difficult to troubleshoot the issue.
  2. Failed Reversion: The core problem is that the revert action does not work as expected. When a user attempts to revert a modified rule, they expect the system to restore the rule to its original state. However, in this scenario, the rule remains in its modified form, effectively preventing the user from undoing their changes. This can be particularly problematic if the modifications have introduced unintended consequences or if the user simply wants to return to a known good configuration.
  3. Empty Preview Drawer: As detailed in the reproduction steps, the preview drawer, which should display the differences between the modified rule and the original version, appears empty. This is a critical failure because the preview drawer is a key component of the revert workflow. It allows users to review the changes that will be undone before committing to the action. The absence of this preview makes it impossible for the user to verify the revert, increasing the risk of unintended data loss or configuration errors.
  4. Conflicting Toast Notification: The presence of a revert confirmation toast notification, despite the error, is particularly misleading. Toast notifications are typically used to provide feedback on the outcome of an action. In this case, the notification falsely indicates that the revert was successful, even though it failed. This conflicting feedback can lead users to believe that the issue has been resolved, when in fact the rule remains in its modified state. This can result in further confusion and potentially more serious problems down the line.

The combination of these factors creates a problematic user experience. The error message, failed reversion, empty preview drawer, and conflicting toast notification all contribute to a sense of uncertainty and distrust in the system. Users may be hesitant to modify rules in the future, fearing that they will be unable to revert their changes. This can hinder the adoption of new security measures and reduce the overall effectiveness of the security solution.

Expected Behavior

No Error should display on performing revert action for imported modified rule.

Detailed Explanation of the Expected Behavior

The expected behavior when performing a revert action on an imported modified rule is straightforward and crucial for maintaining a seamless user experience and ensuring the integrity of the security solution. Let's delve into the specifics of what should occur:

  1. Successful Reversion: The primary expectation is that the revert action should successfully restore the rule to its original, unmodified state. This means that all changes made to the rule after it was initially installed should be undone, effectively returning the rule to its Elastic version. This is the fundamental purpose of the revert functionality, and its failure undermines the entire process of modifying and managing rules.
  2. Clear and Accurate Preview: Before the revert is executed, the preview drawer should accurately display the differences between the modified rule and its original version. This preview serves as a critical confirmation step, allowing the user to review the changes that will be reverted and ensure that the action aligns with their intentions. The preview should clearly highlight the fields that have been modified, added, or removed, providing a comprehensive overview of the changes.
  3. Absence of Errors: The revert action should proceed without any errors. The appearance of an error message indicates that something has gone wrong, potentially due to a bug in the system or a problem with the rule itself. In the expected behavior, the revert action should execute smoothly, without any disruptions or error messages.
  4. Confirmation Notification: Upon successful reversion, a confirmation notification should be displayed to the user. This notification serves as positive feedback, assuring the user that the action has been completed successfully. The notification should be clear and concise, indicating that the rule has been reverted to its original state. This provides closure and confidence in the system's functionality.

In summary, the expected behavior is a smooth, error-free process that allows users to confidently revert modified rules to their original state. The preview drawer should provide an accurate representation of the changes to be undone, and a confirmation notification should signal the successful completion of the action. This behavior is essential for maintaining user trust in the security solution and ensuring the integrity of the rule configurations.

Screenshots/Screen Recording

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/49cf4817a-34c4-47da-a85c-b8297b04f230

Importance of Visual Aids

Visual aids, such as screenshots and screen recordings, are invaluable in bug reporting and communication. They provide a concrete representation of the issue, allowing developers and other stakeholders to quickly understand the problem and its context. A well-chosen screenshot or screen recording can convey information far more effectively than a written description alone.

In this case, the provided link leads to a visual representation of the bug in action. This allows anyone reviewing the report to see the empty preview drawer, the error message, and the contradictory toast notification. This visual evidence can be particularly helpful for developers attempting to reproduce the bug and identify its root cause. It eliminates any ambiguity about the symptoms of the issue and ensures that everyone is on the same page.

Screenshots are useful for capturing specific moments or states of the application, while screen recordings can demonstrate the sequence of events leading up to the bug. The choice between a screenshot and a screen recording depends on the nature of the bug. For issues that are easily captured in a single image, a screenshot may suffice. However, for more complex issues that involve a series of interactions or a specific workflow, a screen recording is often more effective.

By providing a visual aid, the bug report becomes more accessible and understandable, facilitating collaboration and accelerating the resolution process.

Conclusion

This article has provided a comprehensive overview of a bug encountered in Kibana 8.19.0's security solution, specifically an error occurring during the revert action after importing a modified rule. We have detailed the bug's description, the environment in which it was observed, the steps to reproduce it, the current and expected behaviors, and included a link to a visual aid demonstrating the issue. This information serves as a valuable resource for developers and security analysts working to resolve this bug and improve the reliability of Kibana's security features. Addressing this bug is crucial for maintaining user trust and ensuring the integrity of security rule configurations. The insights shared here should contribute to a more robust and user-friendly experience within the Kibana ecosystem.