Exposed API Keys and Tokens: The Hidden Threat in Cloud Security Breaches

Leaked Non-Human Identities Fuel Cloud Security Breaches

Leaked non-human identities—such as API keys, tokens, and service account credentials—are emerging as a critical vector for cloud environment breaches, according to research from threat exposure management firm Flare. These exposed machine credentials provide attackers with persistent, long-term access to enterprise systems, often going undetected for extended periods.

Technical Details: How Non-Human Identities Become Exploitable

Non-human identities (NHIs) are digital credentials used by applications, services, and automated processes rather than human users. Common examples include:

• API keys (e.g., for cloud services like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)
• OAuth tokens (used for delegated authentication)
• Service account credentials (for automated workflows)
• CI/CD pipeline secrets (e.g., GitHub Actions tokens, Docker Hub credentials)

Flare’s research highlights that these credentials are frequently leaked through:

• Public code repositories (e.g., GitHub, GitLab)
• Misconfigured cloud storage (e.g., AWS S3 buckets, Azure Blob Storage)
• Exposed CI/CD logs (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions)
• Hardcoded secrets in scripts or configuration files

Once exposed, attackers can leverage these credentials to:

• Move laterally across cloud environments
• Exfiltrate sensitive data (e.g., databases, intellectual property)
• Deploy malware or ransomware (e.g., via compromised CI/CD pipelines)
• Maintain persistence by creating backdoors or additional credentials

Impact Analysis: Why This Threat Is Growing

The rise of cloud-native architectures and DevOps practices has led to a proliferation of NHIs, often managed with less scrutiny than human credentials. Key risks include:

1. Long-Term Undetected Access – Unlike human credentials, which may be rotated or revoked, NHIs are often static and overlooked in security audits.
2. Supply Chain Attacks – Compromised NHIs can be used to infiltrate third-party vendors or open-source dependencies.
3. Regulatory and Compliance Violations – Unauthorized access via leaked NHIs may violate frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2.
4. Financial and Reputational Damage – Breaches involving NHIs can lead to costly incidents, such as the 2022 Uber breach, where attackers used a leaked PowerShell script containing hardcoded credentials to gain access.

Recommendations for Security Teams

To mitigate risks associated with exposed NHIs, Flare recommends the following measures:

1. Continuous Monitoring for Exposed Credentials

   • Deploy automated tools to scan public repositories, cloud storage, and CI/CD logs for leaked secrets.
   • Use services like GitHub Secret Scanning, AWS Secrets Manager, or third-party solutions (e.g., Flare, GitGuardian).

2. Enforce Least Privilege for NHIs

   • Restrict permissions for API keys and service accounts to the minimum required for their function.
   • Implement just-in-time (JIT) access for temporary elevation of privileges.

3. Rotate and Revoke Compromised Credentials

   • Automate credential rotation (e.g., using HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager).
   • Revoke and replace any exposed credentials immediately upon detection.

4. Implement Secrets Management Best Practices

   • Avoid hardcoding secrets in source code or configuration files.
   • Use environment variables or secure secrets managers for storage.
   • Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for human accounts with access to NHIs.

5. Educate Developers and DevOps Teams

   • Train teams on secure coding practices and the risks of exposed NHIs.
   • Conduct regular security audits of CI/CD pipelines and cloud configurations.

Conclusion

As cloud adoption accelerates, the threat posed by leaked non-human identities will continue to grow. Security teams must prioritize the detection, monitoring, and secure management of NHIs to prevent them from becoming a gateway for attackers. Proactive measures—such as automated scanning, least privilege enforcement, and secrets management—are essential to reducing exposure and mitigating breaches.