10 Top Cloud Security Threats

April 17, 2023 - TuxCare PR Team

Post Views: 3

Operating in a cloud environment has risks that you need to be aware of, folks. In this article, I’ll be talking about the cloud security threats you should be watching out for, such as credential access, system vulnerabilities, lack of cloud security, and accidental cloud data exposure. But don’t fret yet – this article will guide you through some of the measures you need to take to work securely in the cloud and prevent valuable data from being exposed.

What Are the Risks of Operating in a Cloud Environment?

While cloud computing and cloud work environments have simplified how customers utilize solutions as well as how information moves across teams and within organizations, there are unique cloud security threats and security challenges that come with embracing this technology.

Since there are currently several known cloud security risks that can be extremely damaging and challenging to companies, this article will highlight them and how organizations can protect themselves by adopting a live patching approach for their cloud-based Linux systems. Let’s get right into it.

10 Cloud Security Risks to Be Aware of

1. Insufficient identity, credentials, access, and key management

In cloud environments, user identities and access controls are typically managed through a central authentication service. If the identity management system is weak, attackers can gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and resources. They can steal or modify data, launch attacks, or create backdoors to access the system later.

When it comes to credentials management, cloud applications use credentials such as usernames, passwords, access keys, and tokens to authenticate users and provide access to resources. If these credentials are weak, compromised, or easily guessable, attackers can impersonate legitimate users, gain unauthorized access, and steal data or launch attacks.

Meanwhile, access controls are used to restrict access to resources to only authorized users. If access controls are not properly configured, attackers can gain access to resources that they should not have access to.

As for key management, encryption keys are used to protect data stored in the cloud. If these keys are not properly managed, attackers can gain access to encrypted data by stealing or cracking the keys. Additionally, if the keys are not rotated regularly, attackers can access old data that was encrypted with weaker keys.

These risks must be carefully considered when designing a strategy to mitigate cloud security threats.

2. Insecure interfaces and APIs

Insecure interfaces and APIs can pose significant security risks for cloud technology because they provide an entry point for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities in the system. Cloud-based applications and services typically rely on APIs to interact with external systems, and if these interfaces are not secure, attackers can gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and resources.

Insecure APIs can also allow attackers to modify or delete data, launch denial-of-service attacks, or execute arbitrary code. Furthermore, weak or unauthenticated APIs can provide a backdoor for attackers to access the system even after other security measures have been put in place. Therefore, it is critical to secure interfaces and APIs to prevent these types of attacks and protect cloud-based systems and data.

3.Cloud misconfiguration and inadequate change control

Cloud misconfiguration and inadequate change control can pose significant cloud security risks because they can leave systems and data vulnerable to attacks.

Misconfigurations can occur when cloud resources are not configured properly, or when security controls are not implemented correctly. This can result in unintended exposure of data, insecure network configurations, or unauthorized access to resources.

Inadequate change control can also lead to misconfigurations and vulnerabilities, as changes to cloud environments are not properly vetted or tested. This can leave systems open to attacks or cause unexpected downtime. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that cloud environments are properly configured and that changes are carefully managed to mitigate these risks and minimize these types of cloud security threats.

4.Cloud security issues in architecture and strategy

Problems in architecture and strategy can lead to vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the overall security posture of a cloud-based system. For example, a poorly designed cloud architecture may have security gaps that attackers can exploit, such as insufficient segmentation or inadequate access controls.

Similarly, a flawed security strategy may not address all relevant threats or may not provide adequate protection for sensitive data or critical resources. As a result, it is crucial to carefully design and implement cloud architectures and security strategies to mitigate these risks and ensure the security of cloud-based systems and data.

5.Insecure software development

If software is developed without adequate security testing and coding practices, it can contain exploitable vulnerabilities that attackers can use to gain unauthorized access or launch attacks. In a cloud environment, this can affect multiple users or even entire organizations, as the same software is often used by many different customers.

This makes it crucial to ensure that software development for cloud-based systems follows rigorous security practices, including code reviews, testing, and secure coding standards to mitigate these risks and ensure the security of cloud-based systems and data.

To keep your PHP and Python-based applications secure, you can consider Extended Lifecycle Support from TuxCare, which offers package updates for end-of-life versions of PHP and Python.

6.System vulnerabilities

Unpatched system vulnerabilities are a key reason why data loss and breaches take place in organizations. Known vulnerabilities are a malicious playground for attackers. This also includes zero-day exploits and vulnerable configurations.

The ideal path to mitigate these risks is by identifying system vulnerabilities and deploying automatic patches as soon as possible. Live patching enables companies to deploy patches without needing to reboot systems or wait for scheduled downtime, so they can patch as quickly as possible instead of delaying security updates until pre-coordinated maintenance windows come around.

This can help prevent attackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities before they can be addressed through other comprehensive vulnerability management practices.

7.Accidental cloud data disclosure

Unintentional data disclosures can lead to sensitive data getting into the wrong hands. This can occur when users accidentally share data with the wrong recipients or misconfigure cloud storage settings, making data publicly accessible. Additionally, third-party cloud service providers may also inadvertently disclose data due to configuration errors or other issues.

In either case, accidental data disclosure can lead to significant reputational and financial damage for organizations, as well as legal and regulatory consequences. Therefore, it is crucial to implement proper access controls and data protection measures to prevent accidental data disclosure in cloud-based systems.

8.Misconfiguration and exploitation of serverless and container workloads

Misconfiguration and exploitation of serverless and container workloads can be one of the most significant cloud security threats as they can expose systems and data to unauthorized access and attacks. Serverless and container technology offer numerous benefits, but they also introduce new cloud security risks, such as insecure network configurations, weak access controls, and vulnerabilities in the container or serverless application itself.

Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive data, launch attacks, or compromise the entire cloud environment. As a result, it is essential to properly configure and monitor serverless and container workloads to prevent these threats and ensure the security of cloud-based systems and data.

9.Organized crime, hackers, and APT groups

These malicious actors have the skills, resources, and motivation to launch sophisticated and targeted attacks against cloud-based systems and data. These groups can use a variety of tactics, such as social engineering, phishing, and malware attacks, to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or compromise cloud infrastructure.

Plus, they may leverage the anonymity and global reach of the cloud to launch attacks from multiple locations or use compromised cloud resources to launch attacks on other targets. As a result, it is essential to implement robust security measures, such as access controls, monitoring, and threat intelligence, to protect cloud-based systems and data from these types of threats.

10.Cloud storage data exfiltration

This refers to the unauthorized access and theft of sensitive data kept in cloud storage by cybercriminals or malicious insiders. This is one of the most severe cloud security threats because cloud storage often contains valuable and confidential information, including personal data, intellectual property, financial records, and other sensitive materials.

If such data is stolen, it can result in reputational damage, financial losses, legal liabilities, and other severe consequences for individuals and organizations. Therefore, preventing cloud storage data exfiltration is critical for maintaining the security and integrity of cloud-based systems and data.

How Live Patching Can Help

As more and more businesses continue to adopt cloud computing, it’s crucial to be aware of the top cloud security threats that can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your data. From insider threats and phishing attacks to misconfigurations and data exfiltration, there are many risks that require a proactive and multifaceted approach to mitigate.

One recommended strategy for addressing some of these threats is to implement live patching, which enables you to apply security patches to your cloud systems without downtime or disruption. By taking a holistic approach to cloud security and incorporating live patching into your strategy, you can better protect your data and infrastructure from evolving threats in the cloud.

Live patching allows security patches to be applied to running software systems without the need for system restarts or downtime. This can help to reduce the risk of vulnerabilities being exploited by attackers, as patches can be applied quickly and without disruptions.

TuxCare’s KernelCare Enterprise can help organizations streamline vulnerability management quickly. With KernelCare Enterprise, systems can not only be patched without disruptions or maintenance windows – but they can receive updates automatically, greatly reducing your team’s patching-related workload.

Learn more about TuxCare’s live patching technology here.

Summary