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🛡️ 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

Stats​

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Logic​

Similar Policies​

  • Internal: dec-x-2c2e8500

Similar Internal Rules​

RulePoliciesFlags
✉️ dec-x-2c2e85001

Description​

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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 Directory services resources), specific trusted source IP ranges should be explicitly defined in firewall rules to whitelist access to the required ports.

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Remediation​

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Remediation​

From Google Cloud Console​

  1. Go to VPC Network.
  2. Go to the Firewall Rules.
  3. Click the Firewall Rule to be modified.
  4. Click Edit.
  5. Modify Source IP ranges to specific IP ranges.
  6. Click Save.

From Google Cloud CLI​

  1. 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"

  2. 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}}

policy.yaml​

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Linked Framework Sections​

SectionSub SectionsInternal RulesPoliciesFlagsCompliance
💼 APRA CPG 234 → 💼 36d access management controls —only authorised users, software and hardware are able to access information assets (refer to Attachment B for further guidance);4161no data
💼 APRA CPG 234 → 💼 36e hardware and software asset controls —appropriate authorisation to prevent security compromises from unauthorised hardware and software assets;4464no data
💼 APRA CPG 234 → 💼 36f network design — to ensure authorised network traffic flows and to reduce the impact of security compromises;76107no 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.83115no data
💼 Cloudaware Framework → 💼 Network Exposure137no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AC-4(21) Physical or Logical Separation of Information Flows (M)(H)18141no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AC-4(21) Physical or Logical Separation of Information Flows (M)(H)141no data
💼 ISO/IEC 27001:2013 → 💼 A.9.4.1 Information access restriction4992no data
💼 ISO/IEC 27001:2013 → 💼 A.13.1.1 Network controls65no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 DE.AE-1: A baseline of network operations and expected data flows for users and systems is established and managed1179no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 DE.CM-1: The network is monitored to detect potential cybersecurity events2165no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.AC-3: Remote access is managed66no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.AC-4: Access permissions and authorizations are managed, incorporating the principles of least privilege and separation of duties48127no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.AC-5: Network integrity is protected (e.g., network segregation, network segmentation)1184no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.DS-2: Data-in-transit is protected1797no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.DS-5: Protections against data leaks are implemented89152no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.PT-4: Communications and control networks are protected1184no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 DE.CM-01: Networks and network services are monitored to find potentially adverse events187no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 ID.AM-03: Representations of the organization's authorized network communication and internal and external network data flows are maintained128no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.AA-03: Users, services, and hardware are authenticated102no 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 duties199no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.AA-06: Physical access to assets is managed, monitored, and enforced commensurate with risk84no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-01: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-at-rest are protected248no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-02: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-in-transit are protected219no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-10: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-in-use are protected249no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.IR-01: Networks and environments are protected from unauthorized logical access and usage165no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 4 → 💼 SC-7 BOUNDARY PROTECTION23531no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AC-4(21) Information Flow Enforcement _ Physical or Logical Separation of Information Flows83141no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.1 Establish and implement firewall and router configuration standards71110no 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.195no 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.16111no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.3 Prohibit direct public access between the Internet and any system component in the cardholder data environment.712113no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.3.1 Implement a DMZ to limit inbound traffic to only system components that provide authorized publicly accessible services, protocols, and ports.10100no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.3.2 Limit inbound Internet traffic to IP addresses within the DMZ.100no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.3.5 Permit only “established” connections into the network.100no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 2.2.4 Configure system security parameters to prevent misuse.40no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.2.1 Configuration standards for NSC rulesets are defined, implemented, maintained.105no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.2.5 All services, protocols, and ports allowed are identified, approved, and have a defined business need.95no 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.95no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.3.1 Inbound traffic to the CDE is restricted.111no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.3.2 Outbound traffic from the CDE is restricted.111no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.4.1 NSCs are implemented between trusted and untrusted networks.90no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.4.2 Inbound traffic from untrusted networks to trusted networks is restricted.100no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 2.2.6 System security parameters are configured to prevent misuse.40no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.2.1 Configuration standards for NSC rulesets are defined, implemented, maintained.62105no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.2.5 All services, protocols, and ports allowed are identified, approved, and have a defined business need.4795no 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.2195no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.3.1 Inbound traffic to the CDE is restricted.31111no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.3.2 Outbound traffic from the CDE is restricted.111no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.4.1 NSCs are implemented between trusted and untrusted networks.3190no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.4.2 Inbound traffic from untrusted networks to trusted networks is restricted.31100no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 2.2.6 System security parameters are configured to prevent misuse.2340no data
💼 UK Cyber Essentials → 💼 1.2 Prevent access to the administrative interface from the internet85119no data