Google Warns Of Cloud Hack Attacks — 3 Steps You Must Take
It's been a week of security scares for Google users everywhere. Multiple Chrome browser vulnerabilities have been identified, email warnings sent regarding user account security issues, and the confirmation that Google itself has been hacked, with user information compromised. But that's not all - Google Cloud users are now facing a new threat: dangling bucket cloud hack attacks.
An August 8 advisory posting from Google Cloud warned of hackers who can hijack deleted storage buckets to "potentially serve malware and steal data from users who unknowingly still rely on a bucket that is no longer officially in use." Raman Bansal, a senior software engineer at Google, and Maksim Shudrak, an information security engineer, published the warning and mitigation advice for all Google Cloud users.
The dangling bucket attack, as explained by the Google engineers, is made possible when a user deletes a storage bucket but references to it remain in everything from application code and apps to public documentation. An attacker can then claim the same bucket name in their own project, effectively hijacking the old address.
What's at Risk?
The dangling bucket attack is a serious threat to Google Cloud users, as it could potentially allow hackers to access sensitive data stored in deleted buckets. This could include emails, documents, and other confidential information.
Mitigating The Threat
Google has identified three key steps that users can take to mitigate the dangling bucket threat:
- "By building these practices into your development lifecycle and operational procedures," Google concludes, "you can effectively close the door on dangling bucket takeovers."
- To do this, users must ensure that any references to deleted buckets are removed from all relevant systems, including application code, apps, and public documentation.
- Additionally, users should regularly review their bucket usage and permissions to identify and remove any buckets that have been deleted but still remain accessible to others.
By taking these steps, Google Cloud users can help protect themselves against the dangling bucket threat and ensure their data remains secure.
What You Can Do Now
To stay safe online, it's essential to take proactive steps to protect your data. Here are three key actions you can take:
- Regularly review your Google Cloud bucket usage and permissions to identify and remove any buckets that have been deleted but still remain accessible to others.
- Making sure that any references to deleted buckets are removed from all relevant systems, including application code, apps, and public documentation.
- Building practices into your development lifecycle and operational procedures to prevent dangling bucket takeovers.
By taking these steps, you can help protect yourself against the dangling bucket threat and ensure your data remains secure. Stay vigilant and stay safe online!