SSL based custom application also seen as SSL

[mattieub]

Hi,

I set up an SSL based custom application for a specific web application in the company.

I followed this document :

But when I look at the traffic logs, for every connection to this application I have :

- 1 log that shows traffic as "ssl" application,

- 1 log that shows traffic as my custom application.

07/23 18:11:18    traffic    start    ssl    allow    knownuser    680    4    

07/23 18:11:18    traffic    start    custom-app    allow    knownuser    1,052    7

Is it normal ? Is there a solution to make PAN-OS show just my custom application ?

Thanks

[gwesson]

When you log at session start as you are doing, you'll see the application as shown at the start of the session rather than after the application has received enough packets to be correctly identified.

In the two you linked, the first (as 'ssl') is showing 4 packets - syn; syn,ack; ack; client hello. That is enough packets to identify it initially as SSL, so we install the session and write the log.

The next entry is 7 packets, and is enough to determine the full application based on the custom app you defined.

In general, a log at session start is good for troubleshooting. It tends to lead to a lot of unnecessary logging other times so I generally only recommend logging at session end so you can see completed information.

Hope this helps,

Greg

[mattieub]

Hi,

Indeed, it makes sense. Thanks for the detailed answer.