The Cloud VAPT methodology generally includes the following steps:
Defining the scope, objectives, and target platforms for the assessment.
Collecting information about the cloud infrastructure, services, configurations, and access controls.
Conducting automated and manual assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities in the cloud environment.
Actively exploiting identified vulnerabilities to determine their impact and validate their severity in a cloud context.
Analyzing the findings, prioritizing vulnerabilities based on their severity, and preparing a comprehensive report with recommendations for remediation.
Understanding the requirements, scoping the assessment, and obtaining necessary permissions from cloud service providers.
Collecting information about the cloud environment, including architecture, services, configurations, and user access controls.
Conducting scans and assessments to identify vulnerabilities in the cloud infrastructure, services, and configurations.
Actively exploiting identified vulnerabilities to assess their impact on cloud security, data privacy, and access controls.
Documenting the findings, prioritizing vulnerabilities, and providing detailed recommendations for remediation.
Assisting the cloud operations team in addressing the identified vulnerabilities and retesting the environment if required.
Conducting a post-engagement review, addressing any queries or concerns, and closing the assessment.
Some pre-requisites for Cloud VAPT include:
Authorization and permissions from cloud service providers to perform security assessments in the cloud environment.
Access to the cloud infrastructure, including management consoles, APIs, and configurations.
Knowledge of the cloud environment's architecture, services, and configurations.
Collaboration and cooperation from relevant stakeholders, including cloud administrators and operations teams.
Availability of documentation related to the cloud environment, such as network diagrams, security controls, and data classification.
A proficient Cloud VAPT team should have professionals with certifications and experience in cloud security and testing. Some relevant certifications include:
1. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
2. Certified Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)
3. AWS Certified Security – Specialty
4. Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate
5. Google Cloud Certified – Professional Cloud Security Engineer
There are several standards and frameworks that provide guidelines for conducting Cloud VAPT, including:
1. CSA Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM)
2. NIST Special Publication 800-115 – Technical Guide to Information Security Testing and Assessment
3. ISO/IEC 27001:2013 – Information Security Management System (ISMS) standards
4. CIS (Center for Internet Security) Benchmarks for Cloud Providers
1. Issues with how cloud infrastructure is set up can lead to vulnerabilities.
2. There are problems with weak authentication and access controls in cloud settings.
3. Poor practices in storing data and encrypting it can create security risks.
4. Misconfigurations in cloud services and their security measures can be problematic.
5. Communication channels and APIs that aren’t secure can expose data to threats.
6. It’s important to follow the necessary standards and regulations for compliance.
7. Managing patches and fixing vulnerabilities in the cloud is crucial for security.
8. Proper network segmentation and isolation are essential in cloud environments.
1. Comprehensive results: An overview of the vulnerabilities found, detailing their seriousness, effects, and specific technical aspects related to the cloud setup.
2. Risk evaluation: An evaluation of the total risk that the vulnerabilities present in the cloud setup.
3. Suggestions: Specific and practical suggestions for addressing the identified vulnerabilities in the cloud setup.
4. Ranking: A list prioritizing vulnerabilities according to their seriousness and possible effects on the cloud setup.
5. Evidence and demonstration: A showcase of the vulnerabilities with supporting evidence and a proof of concept (PoC) to help cloud administrators and operations teams grasp and replicate the issues.
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