Question

Using SEDCMD in allows raw data to be modified. With the given event below, which option will mask the first three digits of the AcctID field resulting output: [22/Oct/2018:15:50:21] VendorID=1234 Code=B AcctID=xxx5309

1) SEDCMD-1acct = s/VendorID= d3( d4)/VendorID=xxx/g
2) SEDCMD-xxxAcct = s/AcctID= d3( d4)/AcctID=xxx/g
3) SEDCMD-1acct = s/AcctID= d3( d4)/AcctID= 1xxx/g
4) SEDCMD-1acct = s/AcctID= d3( d4)/AcctID=xxx 1/g

Answer 1

The correct SEDCMD option to mask the first three digits of the AcctID field in Splunk is 'SEDCMD-xxxAcct = s/AcctID=\d{3}(\d{4})/AcctID=xxx\1/g', which replaces the digits with 'xxx' while preserving the last four digits.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to using SEDCMD in Splunk to mask sensitive data. To mask the first three digits of the AcctID field and replace them with 'xxx' in the given raw data event, the correct option is:

2) SEDCMD-xxxAcct = s/AcctID=\d{3}(\d{4})/AcctID=xxx\1/g

This regular expression search and replace command will look for the pattern where AcctID= is followed by three digits (\d{3}) and then by four digits (\d{4}). It will replace the first three digits with 'xxx' and preserve the last four digits (as denoted by \1 which references the captured group in the pattern).

The other options provided are incorrect because they do not properly match the pattern required to mask the AcctID field as specified in the question.