Fix: Cases UI Test Fails With ES SSL - List Filtering

Hey guys,

We've got a bit of a situation with a failing test in our Kibana setup, specifically related to the Cases UI when running with ES SSL. It's one of those things that can be a real headache, but let's break it down and see how we can tackle it. This article will dive deep into the error, its context, and potential solutions to resolve it. So, let's get started and make sure our tests are running smoothly again!

Understanding the Error

First off, let's dissect the error message. We're seeing a timeout while waiting for the cases table to be empty. This suggests that during the afterEach hook of our test, something is preventing the cases from being properly deleted or cleaned up. The test in question is Cases cases list filtering "after each" hook for "filters cases by the first cases all user assignee". It indicates there's an issue when filtering cases by user assignee, and the subsequent cleanup process is failing.

Error: timed out waiting for the cases table to be empty
    at onFailure (retry_for_truthy.ts:40:13)
    at retryForSuccess (retry_for_success.ts:91:7)
    at retryForTruthy (retry_for_truthy.ts:28:3)
    at RetryService.waitFor (retry.ts:93:5)
    at Object.waitForCasesToBeDeleted (list.ts:118:7)
    at Context.<anonymous> (list_view.ts:347:9)
    at Object.apply (wrap_function.js:74:16)

This error occurs in the afterEach hook, which is designed to clean up after the test has run, ensuring that subsequent tests start with a clean slate. If this cleanup fails, it can lead to cascading failures in other tests, making it crucial to address. The key function implicated here is waitForCasesToBeDeleted in list.ts, which uses a retry mechanism to ensure the cases table is empty before proceeding. The fact that this retry times out suggests an underlying problem preventing the cases from being deleted.

Context: Kibana, Cases UI, and ES SSL

Now, let's put this error into context. We're dealing with the Kibana Cases UI, which allows users to manage and track security or operational cases. The fact that this test is running with ES SSL means that secure communication between Kibana and Elasticsearch is enabled. This adds a layer of complexity, as SSL configuration issues could potentially interfere with the test execution.

The test belongs to the 2.x-pack/platform/test/functional_with_es_ssl/apps/cases/group2/list_view.ts suite, indicating it's part of the functional tests for the Cases UI, specifically designed to run with ES SSL enabled. The test focuses on list view filtering, which is a core feature of the Cases UI, allowing users to quickly find and manage cases based on various criteria, such as assignee.

Potential Causes and Solutions

So, what could be causing this timeout? Here are a few potential causes and solutions to consider:

1. SSL Configuration Issues

Problem: Incorrect or incomplete SSL configuration could be preventing Kibana from properly communicating with Elasticsearch, leading to failures in deleting cases.

Solution:

• Verify SSL Settings: Double-check your Kibana and Elasticsearch SSL configurations. Ensure that the certificates are valid, properly configured, and trusted by both Kibana and Elasticsearch.
• Check Logs: Examine the Kibana and Elasticsearch logs for any SSL-related errors or warnings. These logs can provide valuable clues about the nature of the problem.
• Test Connectivity: Use tools like curl or openssl s_client to test the SSL connection between Kibana and Elasticsearch directly. This can help isolate SSL-related issues.

2. Race Conditions or Concurrency Issues

Problem: The afterEach hook might be running concurrently with other operations, leading to race conditions that prevent the cases from being deleted in a timely manner.

Solution:

• Implement Locking: Introduce locking mechanisms to ensure that only one operation can modify the cases table at a time. This can prevent race conditions and ensure that the afterEach hook can reliably delete the cases.
• Increase Timeout: Increase the timeout value for the waitForCasesToBeDeleted function. This might provide enough time for the cases to be deleted, even if there are occasional delays.
• Review Asynchronous Operations: Carefully review the asynchronous operations in the test and the Cases UI code. Ensure that there are no unhandled promises or callbacks that could be interfering with the cleanup process.

3. Elasticsearch Indexing Issues

Problem: Problems with Elasticsearch indexing could be preventing the cases from being deleted. For example, the index might be temporarily unavailable, or there might be issues with the mapping.

Solution:

• Check Elasticsearch Health: Use the Elasticsearch API to check the health of the index used by the Cases UI. Ensure that the index is available and that there are no errors.
• Verify Index Mapping: Verify that the index mapping is correct and that there are no conflicts or inconsistencies. Incorrect mapping can lead to indexing problems that prevent the cases from being deleted.
• Retry Deletion: Implement a retry mechanism for the deletion operation. If the deletion fails due to a temporary indexing issue, retrying the operation might resolve the problem.

4. Cases UI Code Defects

Problem: There might be defects in the Cases UI code that prevent the cases from being deleted under certain circumstances. For example, there might be a bug in the deletion logic or a problem with the way the cases are being managed.

Solution:

• Review Code: Carefully review the Cases UI code, paying particular attention to the deletion logic and the code that manages the cases. Look for potential bugs or inefficiencies that could be causing the problem.
• Add Logging: Add detailed logging to the Cases UI code to track the deletion process. This can help identify where the deletion is failing and provide clues about the cause of the problem.
• Debug: Use a debugger to step through the Cases UI code during the deletion process. This can help identify the exact point where the deletion is failing and provide insights into the cause of the problem.

5. Test Environment Issues

Problem: The test environment itself might be unstable or misconfigured, leading to intermittent test failures.

Solution:

• Ensure Stable Environment: Make sure the test environment is stable and properly configured. This includes ensuring that the Elasticsearch cluster is healthy, the Kibana instance is running correctly, and that there are no network connectivity issues.
• Isolate Test Environment: Isolate the test environment from other environments to prevent interference. This can help ensure that the tests are running in a clean and consistent environment.
• Restart Services: Try restarting the Elasticsearch and Kibana services. This can sometimes resolve intermittent issues caused by temporary glitches.

Debugging Steps

To effectively debug this issue, follow these steps:

1. Reproduce Locally: Try to reproduce the failure locally. This will make it easier to debug the problem and test potential solutions.
2. Examine Logs: Carefully examine the Kibana and Elasticsearch logs for any errors or warnings. These logs can provide valuable clues about the cause of the problem.
3. Use a Debugger: Use a debugger to step through the code and examine the state of the application at various points. This can help identify the exact point where the failure is occurring.
4. Add Logging: Add detailed logging to the code to track the execution flow and the values of important variables. This can help identify the cause of the problem and track down the root cause.
5. Isolate the Problem: Try to isolate the problem by simplifying the test case or the Cases UI code. This can help narrow down the scope of the problem and make it easier to identify the cause.

Example: Increasing Timeout

One simple approach to try first is increasing the timeout. Here's how you might adjust the waitForCasesToBeDeleted function in list.ts:

async waitForCasesToBeDeleted(timeout: number = 60000) { // Increased timeout to 60 seconds
  await this.retry.waitFor(
    'cases table to be empty',
    async () => {
      const cases = await this.getCaseTableItems();
      return cases.length === 0;
    },
    { timeout: timeout }
  );
}

This change increases the timeout to 60 seconds, giving the system more time to complete the deletion process. If this resolves the issue, it suggests that the original timeout was simply too short.

Conclusion

Dealing with test failures like this can be frustrating, but by systematically investigating the potential causes and applying the appropriate solutions, we can get our tests back on track. Remember to check your SSL configurations, look for race conditions, investigate Elasticsearch indexing issues, review the Cases UI code, and ensure a stable test environment. By following these steps, you'll be well-equipped to tackle this and similar issues in the future. Good luck, and happy debugging!