Top 20 Cloud Identity Attack Methods and How to Defend Against Them

As businesses migrate to the cloud, securing digital identities becomes crucial. With this transition, the risk of cyberattacks targeting cloud identities increases. Understanding these threats is essential for strengthening defenses.

Our article outlines the top 20 ways to attack cloud identities and offers practical defense strategies.

1. Compromised Credentials: Attackers often use stolen, weak, or default credentials to gain unauthorized access.

• Defense: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and regular password audits.

2. Phishing: This technique involves tricking users into revealing their credentials via deceptive emails or websites.

• Defense: Conduct regular security awareness training and use advanced email filtering solutions.

3. Credential Stuffing: Attackers use previously breached username/password pairs to access accounts.

• Defense: Employ IP rate limiting and monitor for unusual access patterns.

4. Password Spraying: Attackers use common passwords across many accounts to find matches.

• Defense: Enforce strong password policies and monitor failed login attempts.

5. Privilege Escalation: This involves exploiting system vulnerabilities to gain elevated access.

• Defense: Regularly update and patch systems, and review user permissions.

6. IAM Misconfiguration: Poorly configured IAM policies can lead to unauthorized data access.

• Defense: Regularly review and update IAM configurations and use automated tools to detect misconfigurations.

7. OAuth Token Theft: Stealing OAuth tokens can give attackers unauthorized API access.

• Defense: Secure and regularly rotate OAuth tokens and implement strict OAuth scopes.

8. MITM Attacks: These occur when attackers intercept communications to steal credentials.

• Defense: Use encryption protocols like TLS for all data in transit.

9. Golden SAML Attack: Attackers forge SAML tokens to access resources.

Defense: Monitor and validate authentication logs and SAML assertions closely.

10. Kerberoasting: Service account credentials are extracted for offline cracking.

• Defense: Use complex passwords for service accounts and monitor for unusual activity.

11. Cloud Infrastructure Discovery Attackers scan for exposed cloud resources.

• Defense: Use private cloud settings where possible and monitor public-facing resources.

12. Metadata Service Exploitation: Sensitive information is accessed from cloud metadata services.

• Defense: Restrict and monitor access to metadata services.

13. Subdomain Takeover: Attackers hijack subdomains pointing to non-existent resources.

• Defense: Regularly audit DNS records and ensure proper configurations.

14. CSP Impersonation: Posing as a legitimate cloud service provider to deceive users.

• Defense: Implement domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance (DMARC).

15. Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR) Manipulating object references to access unauthorized data.

• Defense: Implement robust input validation and access controls.

16. Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF): Inducing servers to make unintended requests.

• Defense: Validate and sanitize all user inputs and limit outgoing server requests.

17. Container Escape: Exploiting vulnerabilities to access host systems.

• Defense: Use container management tools that enforce security policies.

18. Serverless Function Injection: Injecting malicious code into serverless functions.

• Defense: Employ rigorous code review processes and deploy application firewalls.

19. Cloud Storage Data Exfiltration: Misconfigured storage is exploited to access data.

• Defense: Encrypt sensitive data and restrict access with strong policies.

20. Cross-Tenant Attacks: Exploiting flaws to access resources across cloud tenants.

• Defense: Isolate workloads and monitor inter-tenant traffic.

Implementing a Robust Defense Strategy: To effectively defend against these threats, organizations must adopt a layered security approach with tools like CSPM and CIEM. These provide visibility and control over cloud assets, enabling real-time risk detection and mitigation.

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Contact us today to strengthen your defenses and navigate cloud security confidently!