In this lesson, we're going to dive
into Identity and Access Management (IAM)
and how IAM credentials misconfigurations
can serve as an attack vector in penetration testing.
IAM is a framework of policies and technologies
to ensure that the right individuals
have the appropriate access to technology resources.
It's like a digital security guard
that ensures only authorized personnel
can enter specific areas
or access particular resources within an organization.
Now, let's start by breaking down what IAM is.
So you can think of IAM as a control system
in a high-end security building.
In this building, there are various rooms and areas,
each requiring different levels of clearance.
Anyone who wants to enter the room or area
must have the appropriate level
of clearance before entering.
IAM works similarly in a digital environment.
Users, employees, contractor et cetera,
need appropriate permissions
before they can access certain applications,
data or systems.
Now, let's discuss IAM credential misconfigurations
and why they are such a significant concern.
Imagine the security guard in our building analogy,
gets confused and hands out master keys to everyone,
including temporary contractors and visitors.
This will pose a serious security risk, right?
Similarly, in the digital world,
if IAM credentials are misconfigured,
it can lead to unauthorized access
to critical systems and data, making it easier for attackers
to exploit these weaknesses.
One common example of IAM misconfiguration
is overly permissive policies.
Suppose you have an employee
who only needs to read certain files,
but is mistakenly given write and execute permissions.
An attacker who compromises this user's credentials
can now modify or delete data,
leading to potential breaches or data loss.
In a penetration test, you look for users
with permissions that exceed their job requirements,
indicating a potential security gap.
Another example is the use of default credentials.
Many systems come with default usernames and passwords,
like "admin/admin" or "guest/guest".
If these defaults are not changed,
any attacker can easily gain access.
It's like leaving the master key under the doormat
where anyone can find it.
During a penetration test,
you will scan for systems using default credentials
and attempt to log in using those known defaults.
Consider IAM roles in cloud environments like AWS or Azure.
These roles define what actions users
and services can perform.
If a role is configured with overly broad permissions,
such as allowing all actions on resources,
it becomes an attractive target,
for example, if an attacker gains access to an IAM role
that has full administrative rights,
they can perform actions like deleting resources,
accessing sensitive data or launching new instances
to run malicious activities.
Now, let's talk about access keys.
Access keys are like the digital equivalent of keys
at security gates.
If these keys are mishandled,
they can be used to bypass security measures.
For example, let's say an employee accidentally uploads
their AWS access key to a public code repository on GitHub.
An attacker scanning public repositories for exposed keys
can find these credentials
and use them to access the organization's AWS resources,
potentially causing significant damage.
Another analogy for IAM misconfigurations
is a VIP list at a club.
The list specifies who can enter
and what areas they can access.
If the list is poorly managed,
allowing anyone who asks to added without proper checks,
the club will no longer be exclusive for VIPs only.
Similarly, poorly managed IAM policies and roles
can lead to unauthorized access and potential breaches,
which is far more dangerous
than just an overcrowded VIP room.
As pen testers, we need to identify these misconfigurations
and demonstrate their potential impact.
We can use tools like AWS IAM Access Analyzer
to review permissions and identify overly permissive roles.
By simulating attacks, we can show how an attacker
might exploit these weaknesses.
We can use a tool like TruffleHog
to scan for AWS secret keys in public repositories.
For example, by finding and using exposed access keys,
we can highlight the risk associated
with poor key management practices.
So remember, understanding IAM
and identifying IAM credential misconfigurations
are crucial skills for pen testers.
By recognizing these potential attack vectors,
you can help organizations better secure
their digital environment
and protect against unauthorized access.