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🛡️ AWS EC2 Security Group allows unrestricted FTP traffic🟢

  • Contextual name: 🛡️ Security Group allows unrestricted FTP traffic🟢
  • ID: /ce/ca/aws/ec2/security-group-allows-unrestricted-ftp-traffic
  • Tags:
  • Policy Type: COMPLIANCE_POLICY
  • Policy Categories: SECURITY

Logic​

Similar Policies​

Similar Internal Rules​

RulePoliciesFlags
✉️ dec-x-293ab45b1

Description​

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Description​

Review and update AWS EC2 Security Group rules to restrict FTP traffic (ports 20 and 21) to specific trusted IP ranges or disable it entirely. The unrestricted FTP traffic can lead to unauthorized access, exposing sensitive systems and data to potential threats. Security Groups are critical network access control tools within AWS EC2, and maintaining least-privilege configurations ensures the security and integrity of your cloud environment.

Rational​

FTP, which uses ports 20 (data transfer) and 21 (command control), is an inherently insecure protocol that transmits data, including credentials, in plaintext. Allowing unrestricted access to these ports increases the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and exploitation by malicious actors. If unrestricted FTP access remains, systems may become vulnerable to brute-force attacks, data theft, and other malicious activities.

Impact​

Implementing restrictions may disrupt legitimate traffic if not planned carefully, emphasizing the need for precise configuration and testing.

... see more

Remediation​

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Remediation​

From Command Line​

  1. Run the following command to remove or modify the unrestricted rule for FTP access:
aws ec2 revoke-security-group-ingress \
--region {{region-name}} \
--group-id {{security-group-id}} \
--protocol {{protocol}} \
--port {{20 or 21}} \
--cidr {{0.0.0.0/0 or ::/0}}

  • Optionally, run the authorise-security-group-ingress command to create a new rule, specifying a trusted CIDR range instead of 0.0.0.0/0.

  1. Confirm the changes by describing the security group again and ensuring the unrestricted access rule has been removed or appropriately restricted:
aws ec2 describe-security-groups \
--region {{region-name}} \
--group-ids {{security-group-id}} \
--query 'SecurityGroups[*].IpPermissions[?FromPort==`20`].{CIDR:IpRanges[*].CidrIp,Port:FromPort}'
  1. If FTP is unnecessary, consider disabling it entirely and migrating to secure file transfer protocols like SFTP or FTPS.

policy.yaml​

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Linked Framework Sections​

SectionSub SectionsInternal RulesPoliciesFlagsCompliance
💼 APRA CPG 234 → 💼 36f network design — to ensure authorised network traffic flows and to reduce the impact of security compromises;2930no data
💼 APRA CPG 234 → 💼 45 An understanding of plausible worst case scenarios can help regulated entities identify and implement additional controls to prevent or reduce the impact of such scenarios. One example is malware that infects computers and encrypts data, both on the infected computer and any connected storage, including (corporate) networks and cloud storage. Such attacks reinforce the importance of protecting the backup environment in the event that the production environment is compromised. Common techniques to achieve this include network segmentation, highly restricted and segregated access controls and network traffic flow restrictions.3537no data
💼 AWS Foundational Security Best Practices v1.0.0 → 💼 [EC2.19] Security groups should not allow unrestricted access to ports with high risk10no data
💼 Cloudaware Framework → 💼 Threat Protection31no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AC-3 Access Enforcement (L)(M)(H)3768no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AC-4 Information Flow Enforcement (M)(H)23681no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AC-4(21) Physical or Logical Separation of Information Flows (M)(H)1148no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 CM-2 Baseline Configuration (L)(M)(H)3130no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 CM-2(2) Automation Support for Accuracy and Currency (M)(H)16no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 CM-7 Least Functionality (L)(M)(H)31833no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 CM-7(1) Periodic Review (M)(H)1212no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 SC-7 Boundary Protection (L)(M)(H)10850no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 SC-7(4) External Telecommunications Services (M)(H)28no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 SC-7(5) Deny by Default — Allow by Exception (M)(H)18no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 SC-7(21) Isolation of System Components (H)24no data
💼 FedRAMP Low Security Controls → 💼 AC-3 Access Enforcement (L)(M)(H)68no data
💼 FedRAMP Low Security Controls → 💼 CM-2 Baseline Configuration (L)(M)(H)29no data
💼 FedRAMP Low Security Controls → 💼 CM-7 Least Functionality (L)(M)(H)29no data
💼 FedRAMP Low Security Controls → 💼 SC-7 Boundary Protection (L)(M)(H)35no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AC-3 Access Enforcement (L)(M)(H)68no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AC-4 Information Flow Enforcement (M)(H)166no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AC-4(21) Physical or Logical Separation of Information Flows (M)(H)48no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 CM-2 Baseline Configuration (L)(M)(H)330no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 CM-2(2) Automation Support for Accuracy and Currency (M)(H)16no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 CM-7 Least Functionality (L)(M)(H)333no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 CM-7(1) Periodic Review (M)(H)12no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 SC-7 Boundary Protection (L)(M)(H)744no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 SC-7(4) External Telecommunications Services (M)(H)28no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 SC-7(5) Deny by Default — Allow by Exception (M)(H)18no data
💼 ISO/IEC 27001:2013 → 💼 A.9.1.2 Access to networks and network services1718no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.AC-4: Access permissions and authorizations are managed, incorporating the principles of least privilege and separation of duties1756no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.DS-5: Protections against data leaks are implemented4791no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.PT-3: The principle of least functionality is incorporated by configuring systems to provide only essential capabilities2130no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 DE.CM-01: Networks and network services are monitored to find potentially adverse events145no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 DE.CM-09: Computing hardware and software, runtime environments, and their data are monitored to find potentially adverse events142no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 ID.AM-03: Representations of the organization's authorized network communication and internal and external network data flows are maintained69no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.AA-05: Access permissions, entitlements, and authorizations are defined in a policy, managed, enforced, and reviewed, and incorporate the principles of least privilege and separation of duties116no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-01: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-at-rest are protected148no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-02: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-in-transit are protected125no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-10: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-in-use are protected142no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.IR-01: Networks and environments are protected from unauthorized logical access and usage95no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AC-4 Information Flow Enforcement326891no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AC-4(21) Information Flow Enforcement _ Physical or Logical Separation of Information Flows3748no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 CA-9(1) Internal System Connections _ Compliance Checks25no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 CM-2 Baseline Configuration729no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 CM-2(2) Baseline Configuration _ Automation Support for Accuracy and Currency16no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 CM-7 Least Functionality923no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 SC-7 Boundary Protection29452no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 SC-7(4) Boundary Protection _ External Telecommunications Services28no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 SC-7(5) Boundary Protection _ Deny by Default — Allow by Exception418no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 SC-7(11) Boundary Protection _ Restrict Incoming Communications Traffic24no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 SC-7(16) Boundary Protection _ Prevent Discovery of System Components25no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 SC-7(21) Boundary Protection _ Isolation of System Components24no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.1 Establish and implement firewall and router configuration standards7139no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.1.6 Documentation of business justification and approval for use of all services, protocols, and ports allowed, including documentation of security features implemented for those protocols considered to be insecure.127no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.2.1 Restrict inbound and outbound traffic to that which is necessary for the cardholder data environment, and specifically deny all other traffic.1056no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 2.2.3 Implement additional security features for any required services, protocols, or daemons that are considered to be insecure.33no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 2.2.4 Configure system security parameters to prevent misuse.16no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.2.1 Configuration standards for NSC rulesets are defined, implemented, maintained.34no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.2.5 All services, protocols, and ports allowed are identified, approved, and have a defined business need.27no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.2.6 Security features are defined and implemented for all services, protocols, and ports that are in use and considered to be insecure, such that the risk is mitigated.27no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.3.1 Inbound traffic to the CDE is restricted.56no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.3.2 Outbound traffic from the CDE is restricted.56no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 2.2.5 If any insecure services, protocols, or daemons are present, business justification is documented.3no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 2.2.6 System security parameters are configured to prevent misuse.16no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.2.1 Configuration standards for NSC rulesets are defined, implemented, maintained.2434no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.2.5 All services, protocols, and ports allowed are identified, approved, and have a defined business need.1527no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.2.6 Security features are defined and implemented for all services, protocols, and ports that are in use and considered to be insecure, such that the risk is mitigated.627no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.3.1 Inbound traffic to the CDE is restricted.756no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.3.2 Outbound traffic from the CDE is restricted.56no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 2.2.5 If any insecure services, protocols, or daemons are present, business justification is documented.3no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 2.2.6 System security parameters are configured to prevent misuse.1216no data
💼 SOC 2 → 💼 CC6.1-7 Restricts Access to Information Assets1327no data
💼 SOC 2 → 💼 CC6.6-1 Restricts Access1619no data
💼 UK Cyber Essentials → 💼 1.2 Prevent access to the administrative interface from the internet3638no data