(Image: Stockfresh)
High percentage of IaC template misconfigurations in cloud deployments vulnerable to attack
Read More: GitHub Infrastructure infrastructure as code Palo Alto Networks security
In the age of cloud computing where infrastructure needs to be extended or deployed rapidly to meet ever-changing organisational needs, the configuration of new servers and nodes is completely automated. This is done using machine-readable definition files, or templates, as part of a process known as infrastructure as code (IaC) or continuous configuration automation (CCA).
A newanalysis by researchers from Palo Alto Networksof IaC templates collected from GitHub repositories and other places identified almost 200,000 such files that contained insecure configuration options. Using those templates can lead to serious vulnerabilities that put IaC-deployed cloud infrastructure and the data it holds at risk.
Just as when you forget to lock your car or leave a window open, an attacker can use these misconfigurations to weave around defences, the researchers said. This high number explains why, in a previous report, we found that 65% of cloud incidents were due to customer misconfigurations. Without secure IaC templates from the start, cloud environments are ripe for attack.
There are multiple IaC frameworks and technologies, the most common based on Palo Altos collection effort being Kubernetes YAML (39%), Terraform by HashiCorp (37%) and AWS CloudFormation (24%). Of these, 42% of identified CloudFormation templates, 22% of Terraform templates and 9% of Kubernetes YAML configuration files had a vulnerability.
Palo Altos analysis suggests that half the infrastructure deployments using AWS CloudFormation templates will have an insecure configuration. The report breaks this down further by type of impacted AWS service Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS), Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) or Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS).
For example, over 10% of S3 storage buckets defined in templates were publicly exposed. Improperly secured S3 buckets has been the source of many publicly reported data breaches in the past.
The absence of database encryption and logging, which is important to protect data and investigate potential unauthorised access, was also a commonly observed issue in CloudFormation templates. Half of them did not enable S3 logging and another half did not enable S3 server-side encryption.
A similar situation was observed with Amazons Redshift data warehouse service. Eleven percent of configuration files produced Redshift instances that were publicly exposed, 43% did not have encryption enabled, and 45% had no logging turned on.
Terraform templates, which support multiple cloud providers and technologies, did not fare any better. Around 66% of Terraform-configured S3 buckets did not have logging enabled, 26% of AWS EC2 instances had SSH (port 22) exposed to the internet and 17% template-defined AWS Security Groups allowed all inbound traffic by default.
Other common misconfigurations found in Terraform templates include:
Kubernetes YAML files had the smallest incidence of insecure configurations, but those that did were significant. Of the insecure YAML files found, 26% had Kubernetes configurations that ran as root or with privileged accounts.
Configurations allowing containers as root provide attackers with an opportunity to own virtually any aspect of that container, the Palo Alto researchers said. This also makes the process of performing container escape attacks easier, thus opening the host system to other potential threats. Security and DevOps teams should ensure that containers do not run with root or privileged accounts.
The types of IaC template misconfigurations and their prevalence the absence of database encryption and logging or publicly exposed services is in line with the type of issues detected by Palo Alto Networks in real-world cloud infrastructure deployments in and covered in past reports:
This suggests that the use of IaC templates in automated infrastructure deployment processes without first checking them for insecure configurations or other vulnerabilities is a big contributing factor to the cloud weaknesses observed in the wild.
Cybercriminal groups often target cloud infrastructure to deploy cryptomining malware that takes advantage of the processing power paid for by the victims. However, some of these groupsare also venturing beyond cryptomininganduse hacked cloud nodes for other malicious purposes.
It is readily apparent that attackers are using the default configuration mistakes implemented by weak or insecure IaC configuration templates, bypassing firewalls, security groups, or VPC policies and unnecessarily exposing an organisations cloud environment to attackers, the Palo Alto researchers said. Shift-left security is about moving security to the earliest possible point in the development process. Organisations that consistently implement shift-left practices and procedures within cloud deployments can quickly outpace competitors. Work with DevOps teams to get your security standards embedded in IaC templates. This is a win-win for DevOps and security.
IDG News Service
Read More: GitHub Infrastructure infrastructure as code Palo Alto Networks security
Originally posted here:
Infrastructure-as-code templates are source of cloud infrastructure weaknesses - TechCentral.ie
- Setting up a Virtual Server on Ninefold - Video [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2012]
- ScaleXtreme Automates Cloud-Based Patch Management For Virtual, Physical Servers [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Secure Cloud Computing Software manages IT resources. [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Dell unveils new servers, says not a PC company [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Wyse to Launch Client Infrastructure Management Software as a Service, Enabling Simple and Secure Management of Any ... [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- As the App Culture Builds, Dell Accelerates its Shift to Services with New Line of Servers, Flash Capabilities [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Terraria - Cloud In A Ballon - Video [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Ethernet Alliance Interoperability Demo Showcases High-Speed Cloud Connections [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- RSA and Zscaler Teaming Up to Deliver Trusted Access for Cloud Computing [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- [NEC Report from MWC2012] NEC-Cloud-Marketplace - Video [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- IBM SmartCloud Virtualized Server Recovery - Video [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- BeyondTrust Launches PowerBroker Servers Windows Edition [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2012]
- Ericsson joins OpenStack cloud infrastructure community [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2012]
- ScaleXtreme Cloud-Based Patch Management Open for New Customers [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- RootAxcess - Getting Started - Video [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- How to Create a Terraria Server 1.1.2 (All Links Provided) - Video [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- Dell #1 in Hyperscale Servers (Steve Cumings) - Video [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- Managing SAP on Power Systems with Cloud technologies delivers superior IT economics - Video [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- AMD Acquires Cloud Server Maker SeaMicro for $334M USD [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- Web Host 1&1 Provides More Flexibility with Dynamic Cloud Server [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- Leap Day brings down Microsoft's Azure cloud service [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- RightMobileApps White Label Program - Video [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- bzst server ban #2 - Video [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- “Cloud storage served from an array would cost $2 a gigabyte” [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- More Flexibility with the 1&1 Dynamic Cloud Server [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- Hub’s future jobs may be in cloud [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- Cloud computing growing jobs, says Microsoft [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- TurnKey Internet Launches WebMatrix, a New Application in Partnership with Microsoft [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- Cebit 2012: SAP Cloud Computing Strategy - Introduction - Video [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- Dome9 Security Launches Industry's First Free Cloud Security for Unlimited Number of Servers [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Servers Are Refreshed With Intel's New E5 Chips [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Samsung's AllShare Play pushes pictures from phone to cloud and TV [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Google drops the price of Cloud Storage service [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- New Intel Server Technology: Powering the Cloud to Handle 15 Billion Connected Devices [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Swisscom IT Services Launches Cloud Storage Services Powered by CTERA Networks [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- KineticD Releases Suite of Cloud Backup Offerings for SMBs [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- First Look: Samsung Allshare Play - Video [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Bill The Server Guy Introduces the New Intel XEON e5-2600 (Romley) Server CPU's - Video [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- New Cisco servers have Intel Xeon E5 inside [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2012]
- Cisco rolls out UCS servers with Intel Xeon E5 chips [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2012]
- From scooters to servers: The best of Launch, Day One [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2012]
- Computer Basics: What is the Cloud? - Video [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2012]
- Could the digital 'cloud' crash? [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2012]
- Dome9 Security Launches Free Cloud Security For Unlimited Number Of Servers [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2012]
- Cloud computing 'made in Germany' stirs debate at CeBIT [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2012]
- New Key Technology Simplifies Data Encryption in the Cloud [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2012]
- Can a private cloud drive energy efficiency in datacentres? [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2012]
- Porticor's new key technology simplifies data encryption in the cloud [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2012]
- Borders + Gratehouse Adds Three New Clients in Cloud Sector [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2012]
- Dell to invest $700 mn in R&D, unveils 12G servers [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- Defiant Kaleidescape To Keep Shipping Movie Servers [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- Data Centre Transformation Master Class 3: Cloud Architecture - Video [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- DotNetNuke Tutorial - Great hosting tool - PowerDNN Control Suite - part 1/3 - Video #310 - Video [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- Cloud Computing - 28/02/12 - Video [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- SYS-CON.tv @ 9th Cloud Expo | Nand Mulchandani, CEO and Co-Founder of ScaleXtreme - Video [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- Oni Launches New Cloud Services for Enterprises Using CA Technologies Cloud Platform [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- SmartStyle Advanced Technology - Video [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- SmartStyle Infrastructure - Video [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- The Hidden Risk of a Meltdown in the Cloud [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- FireHost Launches Secure Cloud Data Center in Phoenix, Arizona [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- Panda Security Launches New Channel Partner Recruitment Campaign: "Security to the Power of the Cloud" [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- NetSTAR, Inc. Announces Safe and Secure Web Browsers for iPhones, iPads, and Android Devices [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- Amazon Cloud Powered by 'Almost 500,000 Servers' [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- NetSTAR Announces Secure Web Browsers For iPhones, iPads, And Android Devices [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Be Prepared For When the Cloud Really Fails [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Dr. Cloud explains dinCloud's hosted virtual server solution - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- New estimate pegs Amazon's cloud at nearly half a million servers [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Amazon’s Web Services Uses 450K Servers [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Saving File On Internet - Cloud Computing - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- DotNetNuke Tutorial - Great hosting tool - PowerDNN Control Suite - part 2/3 - Video #311 - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Linux servers keep growing, Windows & Unix keep shrinking [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Cloud Desktop from Compute Blocks - Video [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2012]
- Amazon EC2 cloud is made up of almost half-a-million Linux servers [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- HP trots out new line of “self-sufficient” servers [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- Cloud Web Hosting Reviews - Australian Cloud Hosting Providers - Video [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- Using Porticor to protect data in a snapshot scenario in AWS - Video [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- CDW - Charles Barkley - New Office - Video [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- Nearly a Half Million Servers May Power Amazon Cloud [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- Morphlabs CEO Winston Damarillo talks about their mCloud Rack - Video [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2012]
- AMD reaches for the cloud with new server chips [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2012]