Best Cloud Hacking Techniques Used by Ethical Hackers

Best Cloud Hacking Techniques Used by Ethical Hackers

Do you know why cloud security is necessary? If not, then you are at the right place. Here, we will talk about the Best Cloud Hacking Techniques Used by Ethical Hackers to protect cloud platforms from online threats that could cause monetary loss and data breaches.

In the end, we will introduce you to a dedicated training institute offering a dedicated training & certification program related to cloud security skills. What are we waiting for? Let’s get straight to the topic!

What Is Cloud Hacking?

Unauthorized access and exploitation of cloud-based systems, apps, and data is known as “cloud hacking.” It entails compromising cloud resources by taking advantage of flaws in the infrastructure, incorrect setups, lax access rules, or human mistakes.

Cloud hackers may aim to disrupt services or launch more attacks, or they may steal data and profit. Let’s take a look at some of the Best Cloud Hacking Techniques Used by Ethical Hackers!

A Quick Overview for Ethical Hackers

“White hat” or ethical hackers employ their technical expertise to proactively find and address security flaws in networks, apps, and systems. In contrast to malevolent hackers, they work with express authorization and follow a rigorous code of ethics to bolster an organization’s defenses.

Through stages including reconnaissance, scanning, getting access, retaining access, and reporting, they simulate actual attacks to offer practical suggestions for enhancing cybersecurity posture.

Benefits of Cloud Security for Organizations

Why Cloud Environments Are a Prime Target for Hackers?

Cloud environments are a prime target for hackers for the following reasons:

1. Vast Amounts of Sensitive Data: Large amounts of valuable data are consolidated in cloud settings, which makes them appealing targets for data theft.
2. Misconfigurations and Human Error: Easily exploitable security flaws are frequently caused by improperly configured cloud services or human error during setup.
3. Shared Responsibility Model Complexities: Vulnerabilities may go unnoticed if the customer and cloud provider don’t understand how security duties are divided.
4. Insecure APIs: Application Programming Interface (API) flaws or misuse can give attackers direct access points.
5. Credential Theft and Weak Access Management: Hackers can pose as authorized users and obtain unauthorized access thanks to compromised user credentials and insufficient access controls.
6. Increased Attack Surface: Because cloud services are open and networked, there are more possible points of entry for attackers.
7. Lack of Visibility: It could be difficult for businesses to have a thorough understanding of their cloud infrastructure and identify questionable activity.
8. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): Cloud vulnerabilities can be used by skilled and persistent attackers for long-term, covert data exfiltration and penetration.

Reconnaissance in the Cloud: How Ethical Hackers Gather Intel

Misconfigured Cloud Storage Buckets: A Goldmine for Hackers

Because misconfigured cloud storage buckets, like Google Cloud Storage or Amazon S3 buckets, frequently expose private information to the public internet, they are, in fact, a top target for hackers.

This frequently happens as a result of human error, where access controls are configured too loosely or default permissions are not adequately guarded. Using straightforward search terms or automated tools, hackers can then quickly find these publicly available buckets, which could result in data breaches, data tampering, or even the removal of important data.

Credential Harvesting and Privilege Escalation in Cloud Platforms

In cloud platforms, credential harvesting is the practice of hackers using a variety of dishonest techniques, such as phishing campaigns, malware, or taking advantage of setup errors, to obtain user login information (passwords, access keys, etc.).

Privilege escalation is the process by which attackers use flaws or configurations in the cloud environment to achieve higher levels of access and control after obtaining initial, frequently low-level credentials.

This involves going from a basic user to an administrator or root user, thereby granting them “keys to the kingdom.” This enables them to alter vital resources, obtain private information, or send even more nefarious payloads.

Exploiting IAM (Identity and Access Management) Weaknesses

Taking advantage of holes in cloud systems’ authentication and authorization processes for users and resources is known as exploiting IAM (Identity and Access Management) vulnerabilities.

This frequently entails taking advantage of configuration errors that allow more access than intended, compromising weak credentials, or abusing overly permissive rules. Privilege escalation, illegal access to private information and systems, and eventually a complete penetration of the cloud environment are all possible outcomes of successful exploitation.

Abusing Serverless Functions and APIs for Unauthorized Access

Abusing serverless functions and APIs for illegal access entails taking advantage of flaws in their implementation or design. Attackers may use insecure API endpoints to get around authentication and access private information, alter input to cause unwanted code execution (injection), or take advantage of roles that are too permissive for functions to obtain more rights.

Data breaches, resource depletion (costing the victim money), or even total control over certain cloud infrastructure components might result from this.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Injection Attacks in Cloud Web Apps

In cloud web applications, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is the practice of inserting malicious client-side scripts into user-viewed legitimate web pages. These scripts have the potential to compromise user trust and data by stealing session cookies, defacing websites, or rerouting users to malicious websites.

More generally, injection attacks happen when a hacker inserts malicious code or commands into data inputs (such as SQL queries or OS commands). This can result in system manipulation, unauthorized data access, or even complete database and cloud resource penetration.

How to Defend Against These Cloud Hacking Techniques?

Top Tools Ethical Hackers Use for Cloud Penetration Testing

The following are some of the tools ethical hackers use for cloud penetration testing:

• Pacu: An open-source exploitation framework that simulates several types of attacks and is especially made for offensive security testing against AWS cloud systems.
• ScoutSuite: AWS, Azure, and GCP environments are scanned for security threats and misconfigurations by this multi-cloud security auditing tool, which produces thorough findings without changing any resources.
• Prowler: An all-inclusive open-source tool for AWS security testing that assists in locating weaknesses in S3 buckets, security groups, and IAM roles, among other AWS configurations.
• Nmap (Network Mapper): A traditional and flexible open-source program for port scanning, network discovery, and locating cloud-based system services.
• Burp Suite Professional: A well-known commercial web application security testing tool that is essential for finding flaws in cloud-hosted web apps and APIs, like SQL injection and XSS.
• OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy): A popular free and open-source substitute for Burp Suite that checks web apps, especially cloud-based ones, for common security flaws.
• Metasploit Framework: An effective open-source exploitation tool for testing existing vulnerabilities and creating unique attacks that may be modified for cloud environments.
• CloudSploit: AWS setups are continuously monitored for errors and compliance threats using an automated security scanner.
• Azucar: A tool made especially for auditing Azure setups that gathers pertinent information about the platform automatically to find security flaws.
• PowerZure: An Azure environment observation and testing tool that runs on PowerShell and helps identify setup errors and possible attack points.

Job Profiles Related to Cloud Security?

Conclusion

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Frequently Asked Questions

About Best Cloud Hacking Techniques Used by Ethical Hackers

1. What is cloud hacking in ethical hacking?

Cloud hacking, as used in ethical hacking, is the approved imitation of attacks on cloud-based systems and apps to find flaws and vulnerabilities before malevolent actors can take advantage of them.

2. Why is cloud security important for ethical hackers to test?

Cloud security is important for ethical hackers to test for the following reasons:

1. Shared Responsibility Model,
2. Complex & Dynamic Environments,
3. Vast Attack Surface,
4. Misconfigurations are Common, and
5. Compliance & Trust.

3. What are the most common cloud vulnerabilities?

The following are some of the most common cloud vulnerabilities:

1. Cloud Misconfigurations,
2. Insecure APIs,
3. Poor Identity & Access Management (IAM),
4. Lack of Visibility, and
5. Insider Threats.

4. Which cloud platforms are most often targeted by hackers?

Although all of the major cloud platforms—AWS, Azure, and GCP—are targets, new reports show that, despite differences in client distribution across platforms, AWS settings are disproportionately more likely to experience security incidents than other cloud environments.

5. How do ethical hackers identify misconfigured cloud storage buckets?

Google Dorking for publicly accessible assets, manual checks, automated scanning tools (such as Prowler and ScoutSuite), and examining HTTP responses for bucket references are some of the methods used by ethical hackers to find improperly set up cloud storage buckets.

6. Can ethical hackers legally test cloud infrastructure?

Legally, ethical hackers are permitted to test cloud infrastructure, but only with the owner of the cloud service’s express written consent and within the predetermined parameters.

7. What tools do ethical hackers use for cloud penetration testing?

The following are some of the tools that ethical hackers use for cloud penetration testing:

1. Pacu,
2. ScoutSuite,
3. Prowler,
4. Nmap, and
5. Burp Suite Professional.

8. 9. How do hackers exploit IAM roles in the cloud?

To obtain illegal access and elevate privileges within the cloud environment, hackers take advantage of IAM roles by using incorrect settings, excessively liberal policies, or stolen credentials.

What are the risks of serverless architecture in cloud hacking?

The following are some of the risks of serverless architecture in cloud hacking:

1. Increased Attack Surface,
2. Over-privileged Functions,
3. Insecure Event Data Injection,
4. Lack of Centralized Visibility & Logging, and
5. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities (Third-Party Dependencies).

10. How can organizations protect themselves from cloud hacking attacks?

By putting in place rigorous IAM policies, safeguarding configurations, encrypting data, routinely checking for threats, and keeping a strong incident response strategy, organizations can defend themselves against cloud hacking assaults.