{question}
Why doesn't the remote-host IP in the Audit Logs match the actual client IP?
{question}
{answer}
SingleStore Cloud audit logs include a remote-host field that records the IP address associated with a login attempt or connection event. This field is crucial for monitoring, auditing, and tracing activities within your environment.
This article explains what the remote-host value represents and why it may differ from the original client IP address in certain scenarios.
What Is Logged as the remote-host IP?
The remote-host field reflects the IP address detected by the SingleStore database server at the time of the connection. This value is not client-reported; instead, it is determined by the incoming network request to the cluster.
The IP logged is the source IP visible to SingleStore, which may not always be the actual IP address of the originating client due to intermediate networking components.
Why Might the remote-host IP differ from the Client's IP?
There are several common reasons why the logged IP might differ from the original client device's IP:
-
VPNs or Proxies: When a client connects via a VPN or proxy, SingleStore logs the IP address of the intermediary instead of the original client.
-
Cloud Gateways or NAT Devices: In cloud environments, client IPs may be masked by NAT or routing devices.
-
Load Balancers or Bastion Hosts: If the connection is routed through a load balancer or bastion host, the IP logged will reflect the intermediary’s address.
Can the Original Client IP Be Recovered?
No. SingleStore only logs the IP address that directly connects to the server. Since this is determined at the network layer, there is no built-in method to extract or record the original client IP if it’s masked by intermediary systems.
If it's important to capture the true client IP for your auditing or security needs, consider the following:
-
Review Your Network Architecture: Reduce or account for layers that obscure client IPs.
-
Enable Intermediary Logs: Turn on logging for proxies, VPNs, firewalls, or load balancers to capture the original source IPs.
-
Add application-level metadata: Tag users or sessions with identifiable data during authentication to track activity more accurately.
Reference:
SingleStore Audit Log Schema – Login Attempt Logs
{answer}