A Complete Guide To AWS Penetration Testing

While AWS is known to maintain high-quality security mechanisms, the increasing complexity of cyberattacks today reinforces that any data stored within AWS needs additional external testing to strengthen its security against vulnerabilities.

Companies such as Uber, Twilio, Pegasus Airlines, and Capital One have all suffered significant losses due to AWS data breaches.

AWS penetration testing involves carefully assessing the cloud infrastructure to find hidden vulnerabilities. Skilled penetration testers conduct it. This procedure replicates real-world attack situations specific to AWS and finds weaknesses that could cause data breaches.

The testing process thoroughly evaluates setups, access restrictions, and network topologies. Its objective is to provide practical suggestions for strengthening AWS environments’ security posture and guaranteeing the protection of your assets in the cloud.

What is Penetration Testing in AWS?

A typical AWS penetration test involves a team of skilled penetration testers who test your AWS infrastructure for vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit. Upon completion of the pentest, a detailed report constituting the areas of weaknesses and the course of action to fix them are also mentioned. 

However, the traditional practices of penetration testing services are little likely to comply with AWS policies. Amazon owns AWS’s core infrastructure, and the methodologies used for AWS pentesting are subject to their policies.

There are broadly four key areas to focus on for penetration testing of AWS:

• External Infrastructure of your AWS cloud
• Application(s) you are hosting/building on your platform
• Internal Infrastructure of your AWS cloud
• AWS configuration review

Importance Of AWS Pentesting

1. Maintaining Client Responsibility

Following the Shared Responsibility Model, you need to uphold the security of your assets within the AWS cloud infrastructure. By conducting AWS pentesting, users can secure data and workloads, prevent unauthorized access, and maintain the overall security posture to reduce the risk of data breaches.

2. Meeting Compliance Requirements

Several industry regulations and standards, such as HIPAA, ISO 27001, and SOC2, regard the safety of the data on your AWS cloud as critical, and it’s vital to meet these legal requirements. It’s also beneficial to establish data security as a top priority in the eyes of your customers. AWS pentesting helps you resolve vulnerabilities to comply with these regulatory requirements.

3. Complete Cloud Security Assurance

AWS constantly updates its systems, so a penetration test looking for vulnerabilities like insecure APIs or configurations, weak authentication, and data exposure is vital. All areas of cloud security, including newly discovered threats and vulnerabilities, must be carefully examined and addressed.

Does AWS Allow Penetration Testing?

Yes, AWS allows penetration testing. However, ethical hackers can only play with specific boundaries, and the rest remains out of bounds for pen testing.

The services that can be tested without prior approval include: 

1. Amazon EC2 instances
2. Amazon RDS
3. Amazon CloudFront
4. Amazon Aurora
5. Amazon API Gateways
6. AWS Fargate
7. AWS Lambda
8. AWS LightSail resources
9. Amazon Elastic Beanstalk environments

For user-operated services that include cloud offerings and are configured by users, AWS permits an organization to fully test its AWS EC2 instance while excluding tasks related to disruption of continuity. 

For vendor-operated services (cloud offerings managed and configured by one-third party), AWS restricts the pentesting to configuration and implementation of the cloud environment, excluding the underlying infrastructure.

What Pen-Testing can be Performed in AWS?

AWS allows the pen testing of specific areas of EC2 (Elastic Cloud Computing), they are:

• API, i.e., Application Programming Interface
• Web applications hosted by your organization
• Programming languages
• Virtual machines and Operating systems

Off-Limit AWS Sections for Pentesting

While penetration testing is a valuable security practice, certain activities are off-limits within AWS, as they can disrupt services or violate AWS terms of service:

• Servers belonging to AWS
• Physical hardware, facility, or underlying infrastructure that belongs to AWS
• EC2 belonging to other vendors
• Amazon’s small Relational Database Service (RDS)
• Security appliances managed by other vendors

Shared Responsibility Model 

Like many cloud platforms, AWS uses a Shared Responsibility Model. This model splits cloud security: AWS secures the infrastructure, and you secure your data.

As such, we can categorize the security testing of an AWS platform into two parts:

1. Security of the Cloud

Amazon (AWS) is responsible for securing the cloud against possible vulnerabilities and cyber attacks to protect companies using AWS services. The security of the cloud includes all zero-days and logic flaws that can be exploited at any step to disrupt the performance of an AWS server.

2. Security in the Cloud

Security in the cloud refers to the responsibility of the user/company to make sure their 

deployed applications/assets on AWS infrastructure are secured against any cyberattacks. A user/company can enhance the security of their applications on the AWS cloud by implementing necessary security practices.

Difference Between Traditional Pentesting & AWS Pentesting

We have already established that pentesting in AWS differs from traditional pentesting in terms of approach and methodologies. How about a closer look?

Feature	Traditional Penetration Testing	AWS Penetration Testing
Environment	On-premise infrastructure	AWS cloud infrastructure
Scope	Primarily focused on web applications, networks, and systems	Encompasses web applications, networks, cloud infrastructure, IAM, and AWS configurations
Control	Full control over the testing environment	Limited control due to shared responsibility model
Constraints	Fewer restrictions on testing methodologies	Subject to AWS terms of service and limitations
Focus	Identifying vulnerabilities in the organization's infrastructure	Identifying vulnerabilities in both the organization's infrastructure and AWS configurations
Complexity	Generally less complex due to full control	More complex due to the dynamic nature of the cloud and shared responsibility

Types of AWS Pentesting

1. Configuration Review

A configuration review involves scanning the AWS environment setup, access controls, network configurations, and regulatory compliance. It aims to identify weak access policies, misconfigurations, and regulatory compliance. 

2. Internal Audit

An internal audit assesses the security of AWS resources from within the organization’s network by simulating attacks and mimicking the actions of insider threats. It analyses the data encryption and data storage policies of the client’s AWS environment. 

3. External Audit

External audits involve simulated attacks outside the organization’s network perimeter, mimicking cyberattacks. It tests the perimeter defences and external-facing applications like web apps, API endpoints, and content delivery networks.

List of AWS Controls to be Tested for Security

The AWS Pentesting process thoroughly tests the controls and configurations in the cloud. These controls include (but are not limited to): 

a. Governance:

• Identify Assets & Define AWS Boundaries: Begin by clearly defining the scope of AWS assets and delineating boundaries for the assessment.
• Access Policies: Scrutinize access policies to ensure they align with security best practices and grant the appropriate permission levels.
• Risk Evaluation: Identify, review, and evaluate potential risks within the AWS environment, incorporating AWS into broader risk assessment frameworks.
• IT Security & Program Policy: Adhere to organizational guidelines and ensure that AWS usage aligns with IT security and program policies.

b. Network Management

• Network Security Controls: Assess network security controls to identify and rectify vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.
• Physical Links: Examine physical links to maintain the integrity of the network infrastructure.
• Granting & Revoking Access: Review processes for granting and revoking access rights to ensure timely and appropriate access management.
• Environment Isolation: Verify isolation of environments to prevent unauthorized access and lateral movement.
• DDoS Layered Defense: Evaluate DDoS mitigation strategies to protect against distributed denial-of-service attacks.
• Malicious Code Controls: Implement controls to safeguard against malicious code, including malware and exploits.

c. Encryption Control

• AWS Console Access: Secure AWS console access by implementing strong authentication and authorization mechanisms.
• AWS API Access: Ensure secure access to AWS APIs, safeguarding against unauthorized usage.
• IPSec Tunnels: Assess the security of IPSec tunnels, ensuring encrypted communication channels.
• SSL Key Management: Maintain robust SSL key management practices for secure data transmission.
• Protect PINs at Rest: Encrypt and protect Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) when at rest to prevent unauthorized access.

d. Logging and Monitoring

• Centralized Log Storage: Establish centralized log storage for comprehensive visibility into AWS activities.
• Review Policies for ‘Adequacy’: Regularly review logging policies to ensure they meet the adequacy requirements for security and compliance.
• IAM Credentials Report: Scrutinize Identity and Access Management (IAM) credentials reports to identify and rectify suspicious or inappropriate access.
• Aggregate from Multiple Sources: Aggregate log data within the AWS environment for a holistic view of activities.
• Intrusion Detection & Response: Implement intrusion detection and response mechanisms to promptly address security incidents and anomalies.

Steps to Take Before Performing AWS Penetration Testing

1. Define the scope of the penetration test, including the target systems.
2. Run your own preliminary, i.e., run vulnerability scanners like AWS Inspector or Astra’s vulnerability scanner to find basic vulnerabilities before the in-depth analysis. 
3. Define the type of security test you will conduct.
4. Outline the expectations for the stakeholders and the penetration testing company (if outsourced).
5. Establish a timeline to manage the technical assessment.
6. Define a set of protocols if the test reveals security has already been breached.
7. Obtain the written approval of the related parties to perform a pen test.

How to Perform Penetration Testing on AWS?

1. Map the Services

The AWS penetration testing process starts by thoroughly mapping the entire AWS infrastructure to gauge the environment’s complexity and identify potential entry points for attackers.

The AWS environment’s components are mapped out by identifying EC2 instances, S3 buckets, IAM roles, RDS databases, Lambda functions, and VPC configurations. The relationships between these services are then analyzed to observe how data flows through the system. 

2. Cloud Configuration Review

The next step is to use tools like Scoutsuite or Prowler to conduct an automated review of all the AWS services to identify misconfigurations, open ports, or a lack of encryption.

This process includes security experts reviewing parameters such as security groups, access control policies, and network configurations. Once these misconfigurations have been identified, you can formulate a remediation plan and implement AWS-recommended security controls to improve your data security.

3. Deep Service Review

The third step would be to review each AWS service both individually and holistically within the entire infrastructure to find the interdependencies between services and identify potential attack vectors that may not be apparent in isolation. The steps involved in a deep service review are:

a. Identity and Access Management (IAM)

A deep service review begins by identifying the assets of data stores and applications. In this step, the security expert implements two-factor authentication, removes keys from the root account, restricts permissions to service accounts, and deletes inactive accounts.

b. Logical Access Control

Once you’ve identified assets, the next step is to manage access control on the cloud. Logical Access Control controls access to resources, processes, and AWS users. You should also ensure that the credentials related to the AWS accounts are safe and secure.

c. Utilize AWS Data Security and Services 

AWS offers a range of services to manage and protect your data. You can employ these services to protect your data further:

• Amazon S3 – Simple Storage Service

S3 is a cloud folder generally known as a “bucket,” a storage server that delivers region exceptions, access logging, versioning, encryption, etc.

S3 enables SSE to encrypt data using AES-256 encryption and has access control lists that enable detailed control over who can access, modify, or delete data.

• Amazon EC2 – Elastic Compute Cloud

Users can launch and manage virtual servers to run applications using EC2’s resizeable compute capacity. EC2 instances also support secure communication protocols such as SSH (Secure Shell) and RDP.

The EC2 instances are logically isolated from each other within a virtual private cloud, which prevents unauthorized access and data leaks.

•  Amazon EBS – Elastic Block Store

EBS provides block-level storage volumes for EC2 instances and supports encryption using a key management service to protect data.

IAM and resource-based policies allow granular control over who can create, modify, and delete EBS volumes. 

d. Secure Database

Databases are an important part of most web services. While performing the data audit, you should use the Multi-AZ deployment method and limit access to specified IP addresses.

e. Test Application Security

The hosted applications need to be thoroughly tested to identify and remediate vulnerabilities. 

Security configurations, such as authentication, authorization, and data protection, should be applied to AWS Amplify services.

You can configure and manage AWS WAF rules to protect web applications from common exploits and attacks, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).

AWS Penetration Testing Policy

Organizations need to have a well-defined AWS penetration testing policy in place. This policy should outline the rules, procedures, and expectations regarding penetration testing activities on AWS. Key elements of an AWS penetration testing policy include:

• Authorization Process: Clearly define the process for obtaining authorization from AWS or the AWS customer before conducting penetration testing.
• Scope and Objectives: Specify what is in scope and out of scope for testing, as well as the testing objectives.
• Testing Methods: Describe the testing methods and techniques that can be used, as well as any prohibited activities.
• Documentation Requirements: Outline the documentation and reporting requirements, including how findings should be documented and communicated.
• Compliance with Laws and Regulations: Emphasize the importance of compliance with relevant laws and regulations, including data protection and privacy laws.
• Incident Response: Include guidance on how to handle incidents or unintended disruptions that may occur during testing
• Retesting Procedures: Explain the process for retesting after vulnerabilities have been remediated.

AWS Penetration Testing Certification

AWS offers a penetration testing certification called the “AWS Certified Security-Specialty” certification. This certification covers various aspects of AWS security and can be quite lucrative for professionals in the field. 

To achieve this certification, candidates are required to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in areas such as:

• Incident response
• Logging and monitoring
• Identity and access management
• Infrastructure security
• Encryption
• Penetration testing and vulnerability assessment 

Tools Used in AWS Penetration Testing

Different tools are available to pentest your AWS integrated services with different tests. Here are some of them:

1. Astra Security 

Key Features:

• Platform: SaaS
• Pentest Capabilities: Continuous automated scans with manual tests 
• Accuracy: Zero false positives
• Compliance Scanning: PCI-DSS, HIPAA, ISO27001, and SOC2
• Expert Remediation Assistance: Yes
• Workflow Integration: Slack, JIRA, GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, and more
• Price: Starting at $1999/yr

Astra Security is an AWS cloud penetration testing provider that allows you to pentest your AWS services and look for potential vulnerabilities. We offer an interactive dashboard where you can monitor the audit trail and see the detailed analysis for each discovered vulnerability and the recommended steps to fix those vulnerabilities. 

Astra also offers multiple integrations with your pentest project’s existing tech stack, including GitHub, GitLab, Slack, Jira, and more. 

2. AWS Inspector

Key Features:

• Platform: SaaS
• Pentest Capabilities: Automated security assessment service for EC2 instances
• Accuracy: Detection of vulnerabilities and security deviations
• Compliance Scanning: SOC, PCI, FedRAMP, HIPAA, and others
• Expert Remediation Assistance: No
• Workflow Integration: Integrates with other AWS services and tools
• Price: Pricing varies based on assessment type and frequency

Amazon Inspector is an automated security assessment tool used by AWS to check EC2 instances’ network accessibility. Applications operating on the AWS platform are more secure because they find flaws and deviate from accepted practices.

AWS Inspector takes advantage of AWS’s security expertise by regularly adding the most recent security best practices and vulnerability descriptions to its knowledge base. The pricing for this service is based on assessment type and frequency.

3. AWS Security Hub

Key Features:

• Platform: SaaS
• Pentest Capabilities: Automated assessment
• Accuracy: Does not ensure zero false positives
• Compliance Scanning: PCI DSS, NIST, and more
• Expert Remediation Assistance: No
• Workflow Integration: AWS Management Console, Security Hub API, AWS CLI, AWS SDKs Price: Usage-based pricing for security checks

AWS Security Hub is a cloud security posture management (CSPM) service that provides automatic, ongoing security reviews for all your AWS resources. Spotting misconfigurations and compiling security alarms in a standardized manner simplifies security operations and makes it easier to analyze, enhance, and resolve them. 

It allows you to compare your AWS environment to industry standards and best practices, and Security Hub effortlessly connects with supported AWS services and third-party solutions. The pricing for this service is based on usage.

4. Prowler

Key Features:

• Platform: Open-Source
• Pentest Capabilities: Automated assessment
• Accuracy: Does not ensure zero false positives
• Compliance Scanning: PCI DSS, SOC2, HIPAA, NIST, and more
• Expert Remediation Assistance: No
• Workflow Integration: Github, Slack, JIRA
• Price: Free for the first few checks

Prowler provides a smooth integration and configurable dashboards that enable teams to create reliable apps and proactively safeguard cloud environments. This service is free for the first few checks.

5. CloudSploit

Key Features:

• Platform: Open-Source
• Pentest Capabilities: Automated assessment
• Accuracy: Does not ensure zero false positives
• Compliance Scanning: None
• Expert Remediation Assistance: No
• Workflow Integration: JIRA, Opsgenie
• Price: Free for the first few checks

CloudSploit is a cloud security tool created exclusively for Amazon Web Services (AWS) customers to simplify the difficult process of safeguarding cloud infrastructure. 

CloudSploit continuously scans several resources, settings, and activity logs for possible vulnerabilities and recommends fixes. CloudSploit is free for the first few checks.

AWS Penetration Testing Provider – Astra Security

As you would have gathered by now, AWS penetration testing is a serious undertaking involving complex processes that require expertise. Performing a complete security audit for the first time can be daunting, but the process is much more straightforward with the right AWS pentesting provider. 

Astra Security is a penetration testing company that performs a complete security audit of your application. Our team of security experts can conduct an in-depth pentest of your AWS system and create a detailed remediation plan.

Astra Security also provides its customers an AWS pentesting checklist and a publicly verifiable AWS penetration testing certification.

Final Thoughts

Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers various integration opportunities for your application, including some built-in security features for the security of the cloud.

Given the increasing complexity of cyber attacks, AWS penetration testing is essential to ensure strong cloud security. Per AWS’s Shared Responsibility Model, users are responsible for protecting the cloud and their data within it.

AWS users can proactively detect vulnerabilities and improve their security posture using technologies such as Astra Security’s extensive penetration testing procedures. With the help of Astra’s experience and adaptable solutions, you can confidently manage the intricacies of AWS security, guaranteeing the safety of crucial assets in the cloud environment.

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