You might want to seriously think about whether your Azure cloud environment contains sensitive data. Permissions. This article will cover the basics of Azure penetration testing and how to use it to protect your cloud environment. We will also talk about common attack vectors used by hackers to compromise Azure environments. This will help you to protect yourself and explain why you should use a penetration testing service.
What is Azure penetration test?
Azure penetration testing involves attacking Azure cloud environments with the same methods hackers use to find vulnerabilities, assess your defenses, and so on. These tests are designed to identify and fix security flaws in your Azure cloud environment before they are exploited by a malicious actor.
Pentesters can use a variety methods, including manual testing and automated tools. These vulnerabilities will be reported to the system owners once they are identified.
How does it work?
Azure penetration testing can be done in three ways and may include up to six stages.
There are three ways to test Azure for penetration.
White-box pentesting: Your tester will receive all the information they need regarding your infrastructure and systems. This information can include usernames and passwords, IP addresses, and so on. This type is done to test your systems from the inside or by someone having direct access to your cloud infrastructure like a malicious employee.
Black-box pentesting: These are conducted without providing any information about the target systems to the testers. The tester will need access to your infrastructure and systems. This simulates an attack scenario where an attacker outside has no prior knowledge about the infrastructure, its configuration, or access to the network.
Grey-box pentesting: These testers will only be able to access some information about your system, but not all. This is done to simulate a scenario in which an attacker from the inside has access to some but not all of the information. This could be an example of an employee who has access but not all to certain parts or the entire network.
6 stages of Azure penetration test:
- Planning: Plan your testing. This includes identifying the systems to be tested and deciding how they should be approached. You will also need to identify who will conduct these tests and what tools they have available, such hardware or software.
- Reconnaissance and Information Gathering This stage is where pentesters uncover information about the target network or systems. This information can include IP addresses and usernames and passwords as well as server names and software versions.
- Vulnerability scanning: This is where pentesters scan for security weaknesses and known vulnerabilities in applications and systems. This includes scanning for open ports or running automated vulnerability scanning tools.
- Exploitation: These are the places where pentesters try to exploit the vulnerabilities that they have found and gain access to sensitive data or high value accounts. They can use a variety methods, including exploits, malware, and social engineering tactics.
- Post-Exploitation: This is where pentesters create ways to gain access to the systems again without needing to breach them. This could include stealing sensitive data, installing spyware and backdoors, changing security settings or configurations, or even taking control.
- Reporting and remediation The final stage is documenting a report on all the findings from the pentest. The pentesters will usually provide a detailed report detailing all vulnerabilities found and information on how to fix them.
A software penetration testingIt is usually performed in a separate testing environment and in a controlled manner. All trace of the test are later removed from the systems.
Why perform Azure penetration testing?
Organisations pentest cloud environments primarily to assess their vulnerability to attacks and determine if their defenses are effective.
Any cloud environment that contains sensitive data or has access to critical systems should undergo Azure penetration testing. You can identify any weaknesses in your environment and take steps to reduce the risk of your data being compromised.
Common Azure attack vectors
Common attack vectors hackers use to compromise Azure cloud environment:
- Phishing emails containing malicious attachments and links sent to users within your network
- Unpatched software bugs in applications running inside Azure environments such as Joomla, WordPress, etc. Hackers can exploit these flaws in order to gain access to servers hosting sensitive data and critical systems.
- Hackers have installed malware on user devices that can give access to your cloud environment and sensitive data.
- Brute force attacks against login credentials
- SQL injections allow you to access and manipulate databases.
- Man-in-The Middle attacks (e.g. traffic redirection, eavesdropping) can intercept sensitive data as the data travels between users and to the Azure cloud.
- Unauthorized access to privileged accounts
- Hackers can access your environment using compromised credentials
How to protect Azure cloud environments from hackers
There are many ways to protect your Azure cloud environment against hackers, but these are the most effective.
1. These are the best practices for Microsoft Azure:
There are a few important things to remember when using Microsoft’s Azure cloud services.
- Use strong passwords and ensure that they are regularly changed
- Login credentials should not be revealed to anyone unless they are required.
- Only those who are in need of it should have access.
- You can ensure that your network is protected with firewalls, antivirus software, or other security measures.
- Cross-check security settings and configurations to ensure they’re correct before implementing them
- Monitor your cloud environment 24x7x365 to spot suspicious activity. If something is urgent, you can respond quickly.
- Teach employees how to recognize phishing email, malware, and other threats to your Azure environment.
2. Make sure to do regular penetration testing.
It’s critical to do penetration testing on a regular basis so that you discover new threats that have surfaced since your last test. This will allow you stay ahead of potential attackers while also ensuring the security of your cloud environment.
How can Azure Penetration Testing help secure my cloud environment?
Azure penetration testing offers many benefits and can help secure your cloud environment.
- You can reduce the risk of data being compromised by identifying vulnerabilities and patching them before they are exploited.
- It can help you identify any potential vulnerabilities or misconfigurations within your Azure environment.
- Pentesting is also a great way to spot malicious activity in your environment. It allows you to respond quickly to prevent further damage.
- It can help you meet compliance requirements such as ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001
- It will also help you improve your security posture by strengthening your defenses against common attack methods used by hackers
- It will also help you avoid costly breaches, data leaks and negative publicity.
How to prepare yourself for Azure penetration testing
You should prepare your environment before you start pentesting. These steps include:
- You must ensure that all stakeholders have the right permissions, including those who may own or manage systems that could be tested.
- Identify systems and data that are vital to your business operation, and prioritise these for testing
- Identify any systems and data that cannot be tested because of confidentiality issues.
- Document all assets that are subject to pentesting. Create a testing plan that outlines the steps taken during the assessment.
- Identify any third-party apps or services that are used in your environment, and ensure that they are included in the pentest
- Gather all the information and assets required for testing, such usernames, passwords IP addresses, URLs, etc.
- Disable all unnecessary services and applications that could interfere with the testing process
- Verify that all systems are up-to-date with security updates.
How often should penetration tests be performed?
It’s advised that you do penetration testing on a regular basis., preferably once a year or more. However, the frequency of pentesting may vary depending on your organisation’s risk tolerance and the sensitivity of the data you are protecting. Re-tests should be performed after any changes made to your privacy policies, security controls, or environment.
Who can perform Azure penetration testing
Azure penetration testing requires specialized knowledge and expertise.
If you lack the skills and resources to do it internally it is recommended that a trusted cybersecurity specialist be hired to perform ethical hacking for you. This will not cause any damage to your environment, data, or other sensitive information.
Why not hire a professional penetration tester?
Professional penetration testing providers are the best choice for conducting your pentesting. Because they have the expertise and experience to identify and recommend countermeasures, this is a good idea. They will ensure that all findings are documented in an extensive report that can be used as a reference.
Some penetration testing services are specialized in meeting compliance needs for specific industries such as finance or healthcare. It is a good idea to find an expert in a specific area if you want to comply with a particular standard.
Conclusion
Azure penetration testing is an important component of cloud security. By finding and fixing any flaws, you can decrease the chance of your company’s information being stolen by hackers. It is important to conduct regular penetration testing to ensure the security of your systems. If you don’t have the resources or skills to do it yourself, then you might consider hiring a professional penetration testing provider to perform ethical hacking for your company without causing any harm to your environment or data.
Author Bio: Ankit Pahuja works as the Marketing Lead and Evangelist for Astra Security. Since he was 20, he has been looking for vulnerabilities in networks and websites. Starting his professional career as a software engineer at one of the unicorns enables him in bringing “engineering in marketing” to reality. Ankit has been actively involved in the cybersecurity industry for over 2 years, making him the perfect T-shaped marketer. Ankit is a passionate speaker in the security field and has given talks at top companies, early-stage startups, and online events. You can connect with him via Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankit-pahuja/
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