Selecting appropriate protections based on anticipated vulnerabilities and risks (for example, vulnerable software, applications, libraries)

Can you explain what AWS tools or services you would use to identify vulnerable software or libraries in your environment?

AWS Inspector would be the primary service I’d use to identify vulnerable software or libraries. It automatically assesses applications for vulnerabilities or deviations from best practices, including checking for exposure to CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures).

What steps would you take to protect an EC2 instance that you know is running vulnerable applications?

First, I would apply all available security patches to the applications in question. Next, I’d use Security Groups to restrict network access to the instance, AWS WAF to protect against web exploits if it’s a web application, and ensure that the instance’s IAM role adheres to the principle of least privilege.

Describe the process of deploying a new application on AWS with unknown vulnerabilities.

When deploying a new application with unknown vulnerabilities, I’d implement a multi-layered security approach. Start with an environment in a VPC with properly configured security groups and network ACLs, use AWS Shield for DDoS protection, AWS WAF for application-level protection, enable AWS Config for tracking configuration changes, and run AWS Inspector for security assessments. Enabling CloudTrail for logging API calls is also critical. Finally, conduct regular security audits and implement a robust patch management process.

How would you ensure third-party software complies with your company’s security requirements on AWS?

I’d establish a process for vetting third-party software before deployment, including security reviews and compliance checks. AWS Marketplace offers a range of vetted third-party applications, and for ongoing compliance, I would use AWS Config rules to monitor and AWS Trusted Advisor to receive recommendations regarding security best practices.

In the case of an identified but unpatched vulnerability in one of your critical applications, how would you mitigate the risk on AWS?

I would implement compensatory controls to mitigate the risk. This includes tightening Security Groups and IAM policies, adding network layer protection with Network ACLs, implementing application-level security controls with AWS WAF, and potentially isolating the application in a more controlled environment using a private subnet within a VPC until a patch becomes available.

What AWS service would you utilize to manage vulnerabilities in your software development lifecycle?

AWS CodeBuild, part of the AWS developer tools, integrates with tools like AWS Inspector to scan for vulnerabilities during the build process. AWS CodeStar, which manages the entire SDLC, can be set up to include automated security testing, ensuring vulnerabilities are identified and addressed early in the lifecycle.

How would you handle the discovery of a critical vulnerability in a widely used open-source library within your AWS environment?

Upon discovery, I would assess the impact and scope of the vulnerability within our environment using AWS Config and Systems Manager to identify affected systems. Next, I would apply available patches or workarounds provided by the library maintainers. If a patch is not available, I’d follow up with implementing compensatory controls such as additional monitoring, restrictions, or the use of AWS WAF rules to block potential exploit patterns.

Discuss how you might use Amazon Machine Images (AMI) to enhance your security posture against software vulnerabilities.

Custom Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) can be pre-configured with hardened security settings and pre-installed security tools. These secure baselines help to minimize vulnerabilities by ensuring that only necessary software and libraries are included, and they are regularly updated with the latest patches before deployment.

How can Amazon GuardDuty help in protecting against vulnerabilities that stem from compromised credentials or insider threats?

Amazon GuardDuty is a threat detection service that continuously monitors for malicious or unauthorized behavior. It can detect compromised credentials or insider threats by using machine learning, anomaly detection, and integrated threat intelligence. By identifying unexpected and potentially unauthorized data access patterns, it helps protect against exploitation of vulnerabilities due to such threats.

How can AWS Shield be incorporated into a vulnerability management strategy?

AWS Shield, particularly AWS Shield Advanced, provides enhanced protections against DDoS attacks, which could exploit certain network and application vulnerabilities. Incorporating Shield into a vulnerability management strategy provides an additional layer of defense by blocking volumetric attacks, reflecting attack traffic, and providing near real-time visibility into attacks.

If a vulnerability scan identifies a misconfigured S3 bucket, how would you rectify this on AWS?

I would update the S3 bucket’s permissions to correct the misconfigurations, ensuring the bucket policy only allows intended access. AWS offers multiple tools for this purpose, including using the S3 management console to review permissions, employing AWS Config to monitor for compliance with policies, and utilising AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) to manage access more precisely.

Describe how AWS Key Management Service (KMS) can help safeguard applications from risks related to encryption key management.

AWS KMS helps manage cryptographic keys and operations, which is essential for securing sensitive data. It offers centralized control over the cryptographic keys used to encrypt data, which helps to prevent unauthorized access due to exposed or poorly managed keys. KMS can enforce key rotation policies and uses hardware security modules to protect key integrity, significantly reducing the risks associated with encryption key management.