Major configuration risk refers to vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the configuration of cloud resources that could lead to the unintentional hosting, spread, or propagation of malware within a cloud environment. Cloud assets, such as virtual machines, containers, storage systems, and other resources, can become carriers or hosts for malware if they are not properly configured and secured. A report states that more than 99% of cloud breaches happen due to misconfiguration on the cloud user’s side. The main reason this occurs could be due to a combination of factors related to the complexity of cloud infrastructure, the speed of deployment, human error, and lack of understanding of cloud security best practices. It is important to understand those areas where extra attention is needed.
CSPM provides visibility into those areas in cloud environments where proper configuration is not set right. This chapter highlights the areas where things are not set right so that they can be remediated wherever possible through automation or other recommended ways.
We’ll cover the following main topics in this chapter:
- Workload misconfigurations overview
- Understanding malware, vulnerabilities, and misconfiguration
- Network misconfigurations
- IAM misconfigurations
- Lateral movement, data protection, and other security risks
- Critical, suspicious, and malicious activities
- Best practices and lessons learned
Let’s get started!
Workload misconfigurations overview
Major configuration risk involves critical misconfigurations that can potentially lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, or other security incidents. These risks usually stem from deviations from recommended security guidelines and practices set forth by the cloud service providers (CSPs) or industry standards such as the Center for Internet Security (CIS) benchmarks. They can be broadly grouped as network security misconfigurations, misconfigured host operating systems, and IAM-related misconfigurations. Before we dive deep into this topic, let’s understand misconfigurations, malware, and vulnerabilities.
Malware, misconfigurations, and vulnerabilities and their correlations
Malware, misconfigurations, and vulnerabilities are interconnected factors that contribute to security risks and potential breaches.