Buckets Allow ClearText HTTP Table

Overview

Buckets that Allow ClearText HTTP refers to the configuration of cloud storage buckets (e.g., Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage) that permit access over unsecured HTTP rather than HTTPS. This configuration introduces significant security risks, as it enables data to be transmitted in clear text, making it susceptible to interception, tampering, and unauthorized access.

Security Implications

1. Data Interception (Man-in-the-Middle Attack):

   • HTTP does not encrypt data during transmission. Attackers can intercept sensitive data such as credentials, personal information, or confidential files.

2. Data Integrity Risks:

   • Without encryption, data sent over HTTP can be modified in transit, potentially leading to corrupted or malicious data reaching its destination.

3. Non-Compliance with Standards:

   • Many regulatory frameworks (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS) require secure data transmission. Allowing HTTP may result in compliance violations and hefty fines.

4. Lack of Authentication Validation:

   • HTTPS uses SSL/TLS certificates to verify the identity of the server. HTTP lacks this feature, increasing the risk of connecting to malicious servers.

Best Practices for Remediation

1. Enforce HTTPS

• Update Bucket Policies:

  • Modify the bucket policy to explicitly deny access over HTTP.

• Example (AWS S3 Bucket Policy):

  {
      "Version": "2012-10-17",
      "Statement": [
          {
              "Sid": "DenyNonHttpsRequests",
              "Effect": "Deny",
              "Principal": "*",
              "Action": "s3:*",
              "Resource": [
                  "arn:aws:s3:::your-bucket-name",
                  "arn:aws:s3:::your-bucket-name/*"
              ],
              "Condition": {
                  "Bool": {
                      "aws:SecureTransport": "false"
                  }
              }
          }
      ]
  }

2. Implement Bucket Encryption

• Ensure that all data stored in the bucket is encrypted using server-side encryption (SSE) or client-side encryption.

3. Configure Automatic Redirects

• Use cloud provider settings to automatically redirect HTTP requests to HTTPS.

4. Monitor and Audit

• Regular Audits:

  • Use cloud provider tools to check for misconfigurations (e.g., AWS Trusted Advisor, Google Cloud Security Command Center).

• Logging and Alerts:

  • Enable logging for bucket access to detect and alert on HTTP usage.

5. Educate Teams

• Train engineering and operations teams on the importance of secure communication protocols and how to enforce them.

Tools and Resources

• AWS Tools:

  • AWS Trusted Advisor

  • AWS S3 Access Analyzer

• Google Cloud Tools:

  • Google Cloud Security Command Center

  • Cloud Storage Insights

• Other Tools:

  • OpenSSL for testing SSL/TLS

  • Qualys SSL Labs for certificate validation

Conclusion

Allowing clear text HTTP access to storage buckets is a critical security flaw that exposes your data to interception and compromise. By enforcing HTTPS, implementing encryption, and conducting regular audits, IT and Security Engineers can secure data transmission and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.