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Threats with User-ID: Enhancing Network Security

User-ID is a powerful security feature that helps organizations control access to network resources by mapping IP addresses to usernames. This ensures that firewall policies are enforced based on user identity rather than just IP addresses, improving security and visibility.

How User-ID Works

User-ID operates through four main components:

  • Windows-Based User-ID Agent – Runs on a domain member, collects IP-to-username data, and sends it to the firewall.
  • PAN-OS Integrated User-ID Agent – Built into Palo Alto Networks firewalls for seamless integration.
  • Palo Alto Networks Firewall – Enforces security policies based on user identity.
  • Terminal Services Agent – Supports environments with multiple users on a single server.

User Mapping Methods

  • LDAP Group Mapping – Uses Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) to associate users with groups.
  • Syslog Monitoring – Extracts user login data from syslog messages.
  • GlobalProtect VPN – Identifies users connecting remotely.
  • Client Probing and Authentication – Ensures accurate user identification.

Configuring User-ID

Administrators can enable User-ID per zone, configure group mapping and modify firewall policy rules to enforce security policies based on user identity.

Need expert guidance on User-ID and cybersecurity? Explore our comprehensive Q&A section for answers to all your networking queries!

User-ID: Controlling Access to Network Resources

User-ID is a powerful security feature that enables organizations to map IP addresses to usernames, ensuring firewall policies are enforced based on user identity rather than just IP addresses. This enhances security, visibility, and access control across the network.

User-ID Main Functions

  • IP Address Mapping to Username – Associates users with their devices for better tracking.
  • Group Mapping Using LDAP – Uses Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) to categorize users into groups for policy enforcement.

User-ID Components

User-ID consists of four main components:

  • Windows-Based User-ID Agent – Runs on a domain member, collects IP-to-username data, and sends it to the firewall.
  • PAN-OS Integrated User-ID Agent – Built into Palo Alto Networks firewalls for seamless integration.
  • Palo Alto Networks Firewall – Enforces security policies based on user identity.
  • Palo Alto Networks Terminal Services Agent – Supports environments with multiple users on a single server.

Integrated Agent Versus Windows-Based Agent

User-ID can be implemented using either the Windows-Based Agent or the PAN-OS Integrated Agent:

  • Windows-Based Agent – Installed on a domain member, collects user-IP mapping data, and forwards it to the firewall.
  • PAN-OS Integrated Agent – Built into the firewall, eliminating the need for an external agent.

User Mapping Methods Overview

  • XML API – Allows external applications to send user-IP mapping data.
  • Syslog Listening – Extracts user login data from syslog messages.
  • Port Mapping & XFF Headers – Identifies users based on HTTP headers.
  • Server Monitoring & Client Probing – Ensures accurate user identification.

User Mapping Using GlobalProtect

GlobalProtect VPN enhances User-ID by identifying users connecting remotely, ensuring secure access control.

User-ID Syslog Monitoring

Syslog monitoring extracts login data from system logs, providing real-time user identification.

User-ID Operation Overview: Domain Controllers

Domain controllers play a crucial role in User-ID by maintaining trust relationships and facilitating authentication.

User-ID Windows Session Monitoring

Windows session monitoring ensures accurate tracking of user activity across network sessions.

Configuring User-ID

Administrators can enable User-ID per zone, configure group mapping, and modify firewall policy rules to enforce security policies based on user identity.

PAN-OS Integrated Agent Configuration

To configure the PAN-OS Integrated User-ID Agent:

  1. Create a service account with the required permissions on the domain controller.
  2. Define the monitored servers on the firewall.
  3. Add the service account to monitor the servers.

Configure Group Mapping

Administrators can configure LDAP group mapping to associate users with security policies:

  • Define LDAP Server Profile – Set up LDAP integration.
  • Create User-ID Group Mapping Filters – Specify user groups for policy enforcement.
  • Send Groups to the Firewall – Ensure firewall policies apply to mapped users.

User-ID and Security Policy

Security policies can be configured based on source user options:

  • Any – Allows all users.
  • Pre-Logon – Identifies users before authentication.
  • Known User – Recognized users within the network.
  • Unknown – Users without authentication.
  • Select – Custom-defined user groups.

Need expert guidance on User-ID and cybersecurity? Explore our comprehensive Q&A section for answers to all your networking queries!

1. Which User-ID component and mapping method is recommended for web clients that do not use the domain server?

GlobalProtect NO

Terminal Services agent

Captive Portal

XML API  NO

2. Which port does the Palo Alto Networks Windows-based User-ID agent use by default?

TCP port 80 <--NO 
TCP port 5007 -- 5007    Unofficial          ->>     Palo Alto Networks - User-ID agent

TCP port 443 NO

TCP port 4125

3. The User-ID feature identifies the user and IP address of the computer the user is logged into for Next Generation firewall policy enforcement.

True 

4. Which two statements are true regarding User-ID and firewall configuration?

NETBIOS is the only client-probing method supported by the USER-ID agent

The USER-ID agent must be installed on the domain controller

The firewall needs to have information for every USER-ID agent for which it will connect 

Communication between the firewall and USER-ID agent are sent over an encrypted SSL connection 

5. Which statement is true regarding User-ID and Security policy rules?

The Source IP and Source User fields cannot be used in the same policy. NO

If the user associated with an IP address cannot be determined, all traffic from that address will be dropped.  NO

Users can be used in policy rules only if they are known by the firewall

The Source User field can match only users, not groups. NO

6. Which item is not a valid choice when the Source User field is configured in a Security policy rule?

known-user

unknown

any NO

all

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