What does it mean to provide AWS IAM users the fewest possible privileges?
That depends on your commitment to cloud security. This breach could happen to any organization that’s not educated on AWS vulnerabilities and best practices. We’ve talked about how security misconfigurations played a role in Capital One’s breach, but now let’s discuss how privilege management contributed to this successful hack. Show
What Happened at Capital One with IAM Misconfigurations?According to Verizon’s 2019 DBIR, misuse of privileges is the cause of nearly 70% of breaches and 29% of all breaches involve the use of stolen credentials. Privilege management, misuse, and Identity & Access Management (IAM) misconfigurations led to the first misstep in the Capital One Breach. When the attacker executed the first command, the hack began. This command allowed the attacker to acquire security credentials for a specific WAF-role with elevated privileges that had access to folders in Capital One’s AWS environment. Did this role need elevated privileges? The public can’t know for a fact. Were those credentials protected appropriately? Apparently not, because the environment was susceptible to the SSRF attack that had detrimental consequences for Capital One. It’s important to evaluate privileges assigned to all roles in your organization. The Principle of Least Privileges in AWSIn AWS, the concept of least privilege means that you give users the least amount of access and responsibility necessary to complete their duties. Least privilege is also referred to as role-based access or need-to-know access and falls under AWS Identity and Access Management policies. Configuring a system based on least privileges and need-to-know principles aren’t new concepts, but many organizations fail in this area. Best practice for least privileges comes down to the assignment of roles and responsibilities, limiting access based on what’s required, and creating a separation of duties. Consider the following requirements from industry frameworks:
AWS Security Best Practices for IAMBest practice for least privileges is to ensure that your policies allow the fewest actions and access to resources as possible. It is even AWS’ recommendation that when you create IAM policies, you begin with least privileges and then grant elevated privileges when necessary. IAM policies should also be tested by someone with knowledge of your AWS environment and IAM policies for assurance that they are functioning as intended. AWS recommends creating IAM policies surrounding these subject areas:
Don’t underestimate the value and complexity of IAM policies, though – especially in AWS. IAM policies are one of the most complicated things out there because you have to have an operational and security perspective. IAM policies give your organization the power over which actions can be performed by or on any given resource in your AWS environment. How does your organization ensure that IAM policies protect your AWS environment? How to Strengthen AWS Environments With Proper IAMAs more data migrates to AWS, organizations must have processes in place to validate their cloud security efforts. Whether that’s through consulting with an AWS Cloud Practitioner or CCSK, something like a SOC 2 audit, or advanced penetration testing, you need a third party’s perspective and expertise to gain assurance. What consequences would you face if, like Capital One, your clients’ data was compromised? We don’t want you to ever have to find out. Let’s partner together to secure your AWS environment. More AWS Security ResourcesCloud Security Audits The Justice Department’s complaint AWS’ Letter to Senator Ron Wyden Who’s Responsible for Cloud Security? Who Should Perform Your Cloud Audit? Share this entry
What does it mean to grant the least privilege to AWS IAM users?When you set permissions with IAM policies, grant only the permissions required to perform a task. You do this by defining the actions that can be taken on specific resources under specific conditions, also known as least-privilege permissions.
What best describes the principle of least privilege in AWS?Least privilege is a principle of granting only the permissions required to complete a task. Least privilege is also one of many Amazon Web Services (AWS) Well-Architected best practices that can help you build securely in the cloud.
What is the most efficient method for managing permissions for multiple IAM users?Use Groups to Assign Permissions to IAM Users. It is always easier to create groups and assign permissions to them than to define permissions for individual users.
What does AWS use to assign permissions to groups and or users in IAM?To assign permissions to a role or resource, create a policy, which is a JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) document that defines permissions. This document includes permissions statements that grant or deny access to specific service actions, resources, and conditions.
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