Rule: Secrets Manager secrets rotation schedule
Follow the rotation schedule to ensure compliance with the rule regarding Secrets Manager secrets rotation.
| Rule | Secrets Manager secrets should be rotated as per the rotation schedule |
| Framework | CISA-cyber-essentials |
| Severity | ✔ Medium |
Description:
Secrets Manager is a service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that allows you to securely store and manage secrets such as database credentials, API keys, and sensitive configuration information. Rotating secrets regularly is an essential security practice to minimize the potential impact of a security breach or unauthorized access to these secrets. In accordance with the rotation schedule for CISA-Cyber Essentials, it is important to regularly update and rotate the secrets stored in Secrets Manager.
Troubleshooting Steps:
If you encounter any issues while rotating secrets in Secrets Manager, follow these troubleshooting steps:
- 1.
Error Messages: Pay attention to any error messages displayed during the rotation process. These messages can provide valuable information about what went wrong. Analyze the error message and refer to the AWS documentation or forums for possible solutions.
- 2.
Permissions: Ensure that the AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) user or role executing the rotation process has sufficient permissions to perform the necessary actions within Secrets Manager. Check the IAM policies attached to the user or role and make sure they include the appropriate permissions.
- 3.
Connectivity: Verify that your AWS environment has proper network connectivity. Issues with connectivity can prevent smooth rotation of secrets. Check your network configuration and ensure that your environment can communicate with Secrets Manager.
- 4.
Scheduled Events: If you have scheduled events triggering the rotation process, verify that they are properly configured with the correct timings and triggers. Ensure that the scheduled events are being executed as expected.
Necessary Codes:
Depending on your specific requirements and the programming language you are using, you may need to utilize code snippets to facilitate secret rotation. Here are a couple of examples:
AWS CLI:
To rotate a secret using the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), you can use the
rotate-secretaws secretsmanager rotate-secret --secret-id <SECRET_ID>
Replace
<SECRET_ID>AWS SDK:
If you are using an AWS Software Development Kit (SDK) to interact with Secrets Manager, refer to the documentation specific to your chosen programming language. The SDKs provide methods and functions to rotate secrets programmatically.
Step-by-Step Guide for Remediation:
Follow these steps to rotate AWS Secrets Manager secrets according to the rotation schedule for CISA-Cyber Essentials:
- 1.
Identify Secrets: Start by identifying the secrets stored in AWS Secrets Manager that need to be rotated. This includes database credentials, API keys, or any other sensitive information that requires regular updates.
- 2.
Review Rotation Schedule: Familiarize yourself with the rotation schedule specified by CISA-Cyber Essentials. Determine the frequency at which secrets need to be rotated. This could be monthly, quarterly, or any other interval specified in the policy.
- 3.
Implement the Rotation: Utilize the AWS Management Console, AWS CLI, or AWS SDKs to rotate the secrets. Choose the method that works best for your environment and preferences.
a. If using the AWS Management Console, navigate to Secrets Manager, locate the secret you want to rotate, and initiate the rotation process.
b. If using the AWS CLI, execute the
command mentioned earlier, replacingrotate-secret
with the appropriate value.<SECRET_ID>c. If using an AWS SDK, refer to the SDK documentation for your chosen programming language and utilize the provided methods to rotate the secrets programmatically.
- 4.
Validate Rotation: After rotating a secret, verify that the new credentials or information are being used by the applications or systems that rely on the secret. In some cases, additional configuration changes may be necessary to ensure the updated secrets are effectively utilized.
- 5.
Monitor and Repeat: Set up a monitoring system or process to track the rotation status of secrets and their compliance with the rotation schedule. Regularly review the process to ensure it remains effective and aligned with the CISA-Cyber Essentials policy.
Following these steps will help you ensure that your Secrets Manager secrets are rotated as required by the rotation schedule for CISA-Cyber Essentials. Regularly updating and rotating secrets is crucial for maintaining a strong security posture and mitigating the risks associated with unauthorized access to sensitive information.