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🛡️ AWS EC2 Security Group allows unrestricted ICMP traffic🟢

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

Stats​

not available

Logic​

Similar Policies​

Similar Internal Rules​

RulePoliciesFlags
✉️ dec-x-42a090841

Description​

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Description​

Ensure that ICMP traffic (used for network diagnostics such as ping) is appropriately restricted in AWS EC2 Security Groups. Allowing unrestricted ICMP access can expose the EC2 instances to network reconnaissance or Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. Restricting ICMP access is essential for maintaining a secure environment by limiting unnecessary traffic and potential attack vectors.

Rationale​

ICMP is commonly used for network diagnostics but can also be exploited by malicious actors for reconnaissance purposes, such as identifying active hosts or determining the topology of your network. By allowing unrestricted ICMP access, attackers could send large numbers of requests (ping floods) that overwhelm systems or network devices, leading to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack. Restricting ICMP helps secure the infrastructure by minimizing exposure to such attacks while ensuring that legitimate diagnostic traffic remains functional.

Impact​

You might impact network diagnostics or monitoring tools that rely on ICMP, requiring careful configuration of access.

... see more

Remediation​

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Remediation​

From Command Line​

  1. Run the following command to remove or modify the unrestricted rule for ICMP access:

    aws ec2 revoke-security-group-ingress \
        --region {{region-name}} \
        --group-id {{security-group-id}} \
        --protocol icmp \
        --port {{-1}} \
        --cidr {{0.0.0.0/0 or ::/0}}
    • Optionally, run the authorize-security-group-ingress command to create a new rule, specifying a trusted CIDR range instead of 0.0.0.0/0.

  2. 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[?IpProtocol==`icmp`].{CIDR:IpRanges[*].CidrIp,Port:FromPort}'

  3. After applying these changes, monitor the network for any issues related to legitimate use of ICMP, such as network diagnostics or monitoring tools, to ensure no unintended disruptions occur.

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;3435no 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.4042no data
💼 Cloudaware Framework → 💼 Network Exposure137no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AC-3 Access Enforcement (L)(M)(H)3790no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AC-4(21) Physical or Logical Separation of Information Flows (M)(H)1168no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 CM-7(1) Periodic Review (M)(H)1212no data
💼 FedRAMP Low Security Controls → 💼 AC-3 Access Enforcement (L)(M)(H)90no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AC-3 Access Enforcement (L)(M)(H)90no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AC-4(21) Physical or Logical Separation of Information Flows (M)(H)68no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 CM-7(1) Periodic Review (M)(H)12no data
💼 ISO/IEC 27001:2013 → 💼 A.9.1.2 Access to networks and network services1819no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.AC-4: Access permissions and authorizations are managed, incorporating the principles of least privilege and separation of duties2362no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.DS-5: Protections against data leaks are implemented5498no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.PT-3: The principle of least functionality is incorporated by configuring systems to provide only essential capabilities2231no 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 duties144no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-01: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-at-rest are protected196no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-02: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-in-transit are protected167no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-10: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-in-use are protected197no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AC-4(21) Information Flow Enforcement _ Physical or Logical Separation of Information Flows4268no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.1 Establish and implement firewall and router configuration standards7145no 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.132no 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.1067no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.2.1 Configuration standards for NSC rulesets are defined, implemented, maintained.40no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.2.5 All services, protocols, and ports allowed are identified, approved, and have a defined business need.32no 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.32no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.3.1 Inbound traffic to the CDE is restricted.67no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.3.2 Outbound traffic from the CDE is restricted.67no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.2.1 Configuration standards for NSC rulesets are defined, implemented, maintained.3040no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.2.5 All services, protocols, and ports allowed are identified, approved, and have a defined business need.2032no 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.832no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.3.1 Inbound traffic to the CDE is restricted.967no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.3.2 Outbound traffic from the CDE is restricted.67no 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 internet4244no data