SERVERLESS SECURITY 101 : Attacking and Protecting Serverless Applications

Abstract

In the ever-evolving realm of cloud computing, the adoption of serverless architectures in AWS has gained prominence, offering unparalleled scalability and cost-effectiveness. However, the inherent benefits of serverless applications come with their set of security challenges. This research delves into the unique security landscape of serverless applications hosted on AWS, identifying, and addressing potential vulnerabilities to fortify their resilience against cyber threats. The study begins by elucidating the distinctive nature of serverless applications, characterized by event-driven, ephemeral functions, and their dynamic execution environment. With the rise of serverless adoption, attackers are increasingly targeting misconfigurations, insecure dependencies, and vulnerabilities specific to serverless frameworks. Our research explores these challenges and their potential implications for application security, emphasizing the need for a specialized security approach tailored to serverless architectures. To tackle these issues head-on, our team proposes and implements a set of proactive security measures within the AWS serverless environment. Leveraging a combination of AWS security services, runtime protections, and enhanced monitoring capabilities, we develop strategies to detect and mitigate threats in real-time. The project includes the creation of security rulesets, anomaly detection mechanisms, and threat modeling for serverless applications, ensuring a comprehensive defense against common attack vectors. By presenting this research, we aim to not only raise awareness about the security intricacies of serverless applications but also to provide practical insights into mitigating risks and fortifying the AWS serverless ecosystem. Through the implementation of these security enhancements, we contribute to the ongoing efforts to create a secure foundation for serverless computing, empowering organizations to confidently embrace the benefits of AWS serverless while minimizing their exposure to potential security threats.