Introduction
In recent years,
cybercriminals have increasingly exploited misconfigurations in cloud
environments to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns. A recent report
highlights how a threat group, designated TGR-UNK-0011, has been
leveraging exposed AWS credentials to compromise cloud environments and launch
large-scale phishing attacks. This incident underscores the critical need for
organizations to implement strong security measures and adhere to best
practices in cloud security.
The Rise of TGR-UNK-0011
The Unit 42
team at Palo Alto Networks first tracked TGR-UNK-0011 back to 2019 when
it primarily engaged in website defacement. However, in 2022, the group shifted
its focus to financially motivated phishing attacks. Unlike traditional hacking
groups that exploit vulnerabilities in cloud services, TGR-UNK-0011
takes advantage of misconfigured AWS environments, particularly those exposing
AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) access keys. These exposed keys
allow attackers to misuse Amazon Simple Email Service (SES) and WorkMail
to send phishing emails that appear legitimate, making them more likely to
bypass security filters.
How The Attack Works
The group
follows a structured and calculated approach to infiltrate AWS environments:
- Initial Access: Hackers scan for exposed
long-term IAM access keys. Once discovered, they use the AWS command-line
interface (CLI) to access the compromised account.
- Identity Obfuscation: To remain undetected,
attackers manipulate AWS CloudTrail logs, mimicking techniques used
by other advanced threat actors such as Scattered Spider.
- Setting Up Phishing Infrastructure: Attackers
create new SES and WorkMail users, generating SMTP credentials that allow
them to send phishing emails via legitimate AWS services.
- Persistence Mechanisms: They create multiple
IAM users—some of which remain dormant—to ensure long-term access even if
one account gets revoked.
- Cross-Account Access: The group establishes
new IAM roles with specific trust policies, enabling them to access the
compromised AWS account from another controlled account, further cementing
their access.
- Leaving Digital Signatures: The attackers
create Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) security groups labeled
“Java_Ghost,” with a description stating, “We Are There But
Not Visible.” These groups typically do not have security rules and
remain unattached to any AWS resources, subtly marking their presence.
AWS Shared Responsibility Model &
Security Gaps
The AWS Shared
Responsibility Model outlines that AWS is responsible for securing the
cloud infrastructure, while customers are responsible for securing their data
and configurations. Misconfigurations such as exposed IAM keys fall under the
customer’s responsibility. While AWS provides tools like Secrets Manager
to securely store and rotate credentials, customers often fail to implement
these tools effectively, leaving their cloud environments vulnerable.
Mitigating AWS Cloud Security Risks
To reduce the
risk of AWS misconfigurations being exploited, organizations should adopt the following
best practices:
- Secure Credential Management: Never store
access keys in plaintext or embed them in source code. Instead, use AWS
Secrets Manager or similar services to store them securely.
- Regular Key Rotation: Frequently rotate access
keys and secrets to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.
- Restrictive IAM Policies: Follow the principle
of least privilege by granting only the necessary permissions to IAM users
and roles. Regularly review and audit IAM configurations.
- Network Access Controls: Restrict public
access to AWS resources by properly configuring security groups and Access
Control Lists (ACLs).
- Comprehensive Logging and Monitoring: Enable AWS
CloudTrail, Amazon GuardDuty, and AWS Security Hub to
detect suspicious activity. Set up alerts for unusual IAM activities.
- Continuous Security Training: Educate teams on
cloud security best practices, risks of credential exposure, and
secure development methodologies.
Conclusion
The rise of
cloud-based phishing campaigns leveraging AWS misconfigurations is a growing
cybersecurity concern. Threat groups like TGR-UNK-0011 demonstrate how
even the most sophisticated cloud services can be compromised due to simple
misconfigurations. While AWS provides robust security features, organizations
must proactively implement strong security controls, continuously monitor their
environments, and follow best practices to mitigate risks. By fostering a culture
of security awareness and cloud hygiene, businesses can defend against
emerging cloud threats and prevent financial and reputational damage.
How ClearCloudAI
Can Help
At ClearCloudAI,
we specialize in cloud security, migration, and compliance solutions to
help businesses secure their cloud environments against evolving threats. Our
team ensures secure AWS configurations, real-time threat monitoring, and
automated compliance checks to prevent misconfigurations that could be
exploited by cybercriminals. Whether it’s IAM security hardening, continuous
cloud monitoring, or threat intelligence integration, ClearCloudAI provides
end-to-end cloud security solutions to protect your digital assets.
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