Apache web server
Comprehensive Apache web server monitoring and security with EventLog Analyzer
Apache HTTP Server, often referred to simply as Apache, is widely used, open-source web server software that powers a significant portion of the world's websites. It efficiently delivers web content to users who access it through web browsers.
ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer, a robust log management tool, audits Apache access logs to help ensure the server's optimal performance, health, and security.
This tutorial outlines various use cases for monitoring and securing Apache web servers using EventLog Analyzer. To effectively monitor and secure Apache web servers through log monitoring, make sure to configure your Apache access logs to be sent to the EventLog Analyzer server.
Apache web server performance and health auditing using EventLog Analyzer: Use cases
EventLog Analyzer addresses various Apache web server monitoring scenarios through its comprehensive set of predefined reports. These reports provide valuable insights into server performance, security events, and user behavior. They can be scheduled for automatic generation and distributed via email, enabling proactive monitoring and timely responses to potential issues.
| Use Case | Description | Why implement? | Available Reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Client-side error analysis | Analyze the frequency and types of client-side errors to identify potential application bugs and user errors. | Improve the user experience and application functionality. |
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| Server-side error analysis | Analyze the frequency and types of server-side errors to identify server resource issues or application problems. | Improve server stability and application performance. |
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| Performance monitoring | Monitor Apache server performance metrics (like the response time, request volume, and resource utilization). | Optimize server performance, ensure scalability, and identify bottlenecks. |
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| Redirection and URL analysis | Monitor redirection patterns to identify issues like unexpected redirects or loops. | Optimize website navigation and prevent user experience issues. |
Use filters to view the URL redirections during a specific period. You can also customize the views of URLs accessed based on the location, time period, and more. |
Apache web server log auditing using EventLog Analyzer: Use cases
This table lists specific use cases for auditing Apache web server logs using EventLog Analyzer.
| Use Case | Description | Why implement it? | Available reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyzing server-side errors | Identify and analyze server-side errors like the 500 Internal Server Error, 502 Bad Gateway, and 504 Gateway Timeout. | Quickly diagnose and resolve server issues, ensuring high availability and reliability. |
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| Monitoring client-side errors | Detect client-side errors such as the 400 Bad Request and 413 Request Entity Too Large. | Improve the user experience by identifying and resolving client-side issues. |
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| Auditing successful requests | Review successful HTTP requests to understand typical server usage and behavior. | Ensure that the server is operating as expected and identify normal usage patterns. |
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| Identifying slow requests | Identify and investigate the slowest URLs and servers to improve performance. | Enhance server responsiveness and the user experience by addressing performance bottlenecks. |
EventLog Analyzer triggers alerts for slow requests and increased response times based on the threshold values you set. Receive SMS or email notifications when the response times are too slow. The solution comes with Smart Threshold options that study your environment's query processing time and alert you when the response times are slower than usual. |
Securing Apache web servers using EventLog Analyzer: Use cases
Securing Apache web servers is critical to maintaining a robust, secure infrastructure. EventLog Analyzer offers various correlation rules to help you detect potential web server threats. Below is a table outlining key use cases for enhancing the security of Apache web servers using EventLog Analyzer.
| Use Case | Description | Why implement it? | Available reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQL injection detection | Monitor for attempts to inject SQL commands through HTTP requests. | Prevent the exploitation of SQL vulnerabilities that can lead to data breaches. |
Correlation rule
Get alerted topossible SQL injection attempts in realtime. |
| Cross-site scripting detection | Identify attempts to inject malicious scripts into webpages. | Prevent attacks that hijack sessions or compromise user data. |
Alert profile
Get notified in realtime when there's a possible cross-site scripting attack attempt with predefined alert criteria. |
| Directory traversal detection | Detect attempts to access directories or files outside the web root. | Prevent unauthorized access to sensitive files or system files. |
Alert profile
Get notifiedabout attempts to exploit a directory traversal vulnerability usingDirectory Traversal, a predefined alert profile. |
| Abnormal traffic pattern detection | Monitor for abnormal patterns or increases in the traffic volume. | Analyze traffic patterns to detect potential security threats intheir early stages. |
Alert profiles
You can fine-tune the predefined alerts above to set thresholds and trigger notifications when the thresholds are exceeded. Alternatively, enable the Smart Threshold to study the traffic patterns in your environment and raise alerts when they are abnormal. |
| Security incident monitoring | Monitor Apache error logs for security incidents like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and malicious requests. | Enhance your server security by detecting and mitigating web application threats. |
Alert profiles
Get alerted toweb application threats using the predefined alert profiles above. |
Apache web server compliance auditing with EventLog Analyzer: Use cases
Most regulations require organizations to deploy web server monitoring solutions to track access and modifications and ensure data security and integrity. The table below illustrates how EventLog Analyzer can help you meet compliance requirements for Apache web servers. For detailed solution mapping, check out this space.
| Compliance requirements: Solution mapping | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| EventLog Analyzer reports and alerts | Detection rules | Regulations | Requirements |
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WebServer Error Reports
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GPG | Protective Monitoring Control 2: Recording relating to business traffic crossing a boundary |
| CCPA and CPRA | Section 1798.150.(a) | ||
| FERPA | Section 99.31 (a)(1)(ii) | ||
| QCF |
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| SAMA Cyber Security Framework | 3.3.7 Change management | ||
| UAE NESA | T3.2.3 | ||
| LGPD | Article 14 | ||
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WebServer Attack Reports
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CCPA and CPRA | Section 1798.150.(a) |
| FERPA | Section 99.31 (a)(1)(ii) | ||
| QCF |
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| SAMA Cyber Security Framework |
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| CJDN | Application development | ||
| UAE NESA | T3.2.3 | ||
| LGPD | Article 14 | ||
