🛡️ Google GCE Network allows unrestricted traffic to Directory services"🟢
- Contextual name: 🛡️ GCE Network has Firewall Rules which allow unrestricted Directory services access from the Internet🟢
- ID:
/ce/ca/google/vpc/network-directory-services-access - Tags:
- Policy Type:
COMPLIANCE_POLICY - Policy Categories:
SECURITY
Logic
Description
Description
This policy identifies Google GCE Networks that have Firewall Rules allowing unrestricted incoming traffic (
0.0.0.0/0) from the internet to the common Directory Services port (445).In GCP, Firewall Rules are defined at the VPC Network level. Each rule either allows or denies traffic based on its configuration. These configurations specify the type of traffic (e.g., protocols and ports) and the source or destination (e.g., IP addresses, subnets, and instances).
Rationale
Directory services are a foundational component of enterprise identity and access management. Exposing port 445 to the public internet introduces a critical security risk by allowing unauthorized users to attempt connections, enumerate accounts, or launch credential-based attacks such as password spraying or brute-forcing.
Access to these services should be restricted exclusively to trusted internal networks or designated administrative systems.
Impact
All external connections to Directory services from outside the affected VPC(s) can be blocked. If there is a legitimate business requirement for remote access (for example, administrative access to Cassandra resources), specific trusted source IP addresses should be explicitly defined in firewall rules to whitelist access to the required ports.
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Remediation
Remediation
From Google Cloud Console
- Go to
VPC Network.- Go to the
Firewall Rules.- Click the
Firewall Ruleto be modified.- Click
Edit.- Modify
Source IP rangesto specificIP.- Click
Save.From Google Cloud CLI
Identify Firewall Rules Allowing Public Access
gcloud compute networks get-effective-firewalls default \
--format="table(NAME, DIRECTION, IP_RANGES)" \
--filter="IP_RANGES:0.0.0.0/0 AND DIRECTION:INGRESS"Restrict the Source Range
Once you have identified the firewall rules, update each one to restrict access to trusted CIDR ranges:
gcloud compute firewall-rules update {{firewall-rule-name}} \
--source-ranges={{cidr-range1}},{{cidr-range2}}