AWS Elastic Beanstalk Exposure Detection Scanner

AWS Elastic Beanstalk is a platform provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that allows developers to deploy and manage applications in the cloud without worrying about the underlying infrastructure. It is particularly popular among developers who wish to focus on writing code rather than managing the complex system architecture. The use of Dockerrun.aws.json files in AWS Elastic Beanstalk facilitates Docker container deployment, simplifying the process significantly. These configuration files define how Docker containers should be run, including details like image locations and port mappings. This service is widely used by businesses of all sizes that rely on cloud services for application deployment. The efficient infrastructure management offered by AWS Elastic Beanstalk makes it a preferred choice for many enterprises aiming for scalability and flexibility.

The vulnerability which this scanner detects relates to the exposure of Dockerrun.aws.json files in AWS Elastic Beanstalk. These files, when publicly accessible, can reveal critical configuration details about the Docker containers being deployed. The exposure can potentially disclose information like image names, container definitions, hostnames, and port mappings. This kind of information leakage could lead to further vulnerabilities and risks if not addressed. Exposure makes it possible for unauthorized users to gain insights into the infrastructure setup of the application. Therefore, it is essential to ensure these configuration files are adequately secured to prevent unauthorized access and safeguard the application's integrity.

The technical details pertaining to this vulnerability involve the public accessibility of Dockerrun.aws.json files in an AWS Elastic Beanstalk environment. The specific endpoints checked include paths like "/Dockerrun.aws.json" and "/static/Dockerrun.aws.json". The scanner searches for HTTP status code 200 responses to verify accessibility, along with content type checks to confirm JSON or plain text responses. It also verifies the presence of specific keywords within the body of the response, such as "AWSEBDockerrunVersion", "containerDefinitions", and "image". If the scanner confirms these conditions, it indicates a positive result for potential exposure of sensitive Docker configuration files.

The potential effects of this vulnerability being exploited include unauthorized insights into the system's configuration, which could lead to further exploitation opportunities. An attacker with access to the Dockerrun.aws.json file could potentially identify vulnerable configurations or acquire details that aid in further infiltration attempts. Information like container image names and port mappings could be used to tailor specific attacks against the service. Additionally, having detailed knowledge of the infrastructure's composition might allow attackers to design more effective strategies for denial of service or unauthorized access, posing a significant risk to the application's integrity and confidentiality.

REFERENCES

• https://docs.aws.amazon.com/elasticbeanstalk/latest/dg/create_deploy_docker_v2config.html