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Event Information

  • The v1.compute.instances.reset event in GCP for Compute refers to the action of resetting a virtual machine instance in the Google Cloud Platform.
  • This event is triggered when a user initiates a reset operation on a specific virtual machine instance.
  • Resetting an instance involves stopping and starting the instance, which can help resolve certain issues or restore the instance to a known state.

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Examples

  • Unauthorized access: The v1.compute.instances.reset operation in GCP allows for the resetting of a virtual machine instance. If security is impacted, it could mean that unauthorized individuals gain access to the instance and potentially compromise sensitive data or perform malicious activities.

  • Data loss or corruption: Resetting a virtual machine instance can result in the loss or corruption of data stored within the instance. If security is impacted, it could mean that important files or databases are affected, leading to potential data breaches or service disruptions.

  • Disruption of service availability: Resetting a virtual machine instance can cause temporary downtime or service interruptions. If security is impacted, it could mean that an attacker is repeatedly resetting instances, causing prolonged disruptions to the availability of services hosted on those instances.

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Remediation

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Using Console

  1. Enable VPC Flow Logs:
  • Go to the GCP Console and navigate to the VPC network where the Compute instances are located.
  • Select the subnet(s) associated with the instances.
  • Click on “Edit” and scroll down to the “Flow logs” section.
  • Enable flow logs by selecting the desired configuration (e.g., All metadata, Exclude private IP, etc.).
  • Choose the destination for the logs (e.g., Stackdriver Logging, Cloud Storage, Pub/Sub).
  • Click on “Save” to enable VPC Flow Logs for the selected subnet(s).
  1. Implement Network Security Groups:
  • Go to the GCP Console and navigate to the VPC network where the Compute instances are located.
  • Select the subnet(s) associated with the instances.
  • Click on “Edit” and scroll down to the “Firewall rules” section.
  • Create a new firewall rule by clicking on “Add firewall rule”.
  • Define the necessary parameters such as source IP ranges, protocols, and ports.
  • Apply the rule to the desired instances by selecting the appropriate target tags or target service accounts.
  • Click on “Save” to implement the network security group rule.
  1. Enable Cloud Security Command Center:
  • Go to the GCP Console and navigate to the Security Command Center.
  • Click on “Enable Security Command Center” if it is not already enabled.
  • Once enabled, navigate to the “Findings” tab.
  • Review the security findings related to the Compute instances.
  • Take appropriate actions to remediate the findings, such as applying recommended security configurations or patches.
  • Regularly monitor the Security Command Center for new findings and take necessary actions to maintain the security of the Compute instances.

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Using CLI

  1. Enable VPC Flow Logs for GCP Compute instances:

    • Use the gcloud compute instances update command to enable VPC Flow Logs for a specific instance: 
      gcloud compute instances update INSTANCE_NAME --enable-network-endpoint-logging

  2. Restrict SSH access to GCP Compute instances:

    • Use the gcloud compute firewall-rules update command to update the firewall rule for SSH access: 
      gcloud compute firewall-rules update FIREWALL_RULE_NAME --source-ranges=IP_RANGE --allow=tcp:22

  3. Implement disk encryption for GCP Compute instances:

    • Use the gcloud compute disks create command to create an encrypted disk: 
      gcloud compute disks create DISK_NAME --size=SIZE --type=DISK_TYPE --encryption-key=KEY_NAME

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Using Python

To remediate the issues mentioned in the previous response for GCP Compute using Python, you can use the following approaches:

  1. Enforce strong passwords:
    • Use the Google Cloud Identity and Access Management (IAM) API to create a custom password policy for your GCP project.
    • Write a Python script to programmatically enforce the password policy by setting the minimum password length, complexity requirements, and expiration period for user accounts.
from googleapiclient import discovery

def set_password_policy(project_id, min_length, complexity, expiration):
    service = discovery.build('cloudresourcemanager', 'v1')
    policy = {
        'updateMask': 'passwordPolicy',
        'passwordPolicy': {
            'minLength': min_length,
            'requireSymbols': complexity['symbols'],
            'requireNumbers': complexity['numbers'],
            'requireLowercase': complexity['lowercase'],
            'requireUppercase': complexity['uppercase'],
            'expireAfterDays': expiration
        }
    }
    request = service.projects().update(projectId=project_id, body=policy)
    response = request.execute()
    print('Password policy updated successfully.')

# Usage example
set_password_policy('your-project-id', 10, {'symbols': True, 'numbers': True, 'lowercase': True, 'uppercase': True}, 90)
  1. Enable disk encryption:
    • Use the Google Cloud Compute Engine API to retrieve a list of all disks in your GCP project.
    • Write a Python script to iterate through the disks and enable encryption for each disk that is not already encrypted.
from googleapiclient import discovery

def enable_disk_encryption(project_id):
    service = discovery.build('compute', 'v1')
    request = service.disks().list(project=project_id)
    response = request.execute()
    
    for disk in response['items']:
        if not disk.get('diskEncryptionKey'):
            disk_name = disk['name']
            zone = disk['zone'].split('/')[-1]
            request = service.disks().setLabels(project=project_id, zone=zone, resource=disk_name, body={'labels': {'goog-disk-encryption': 'true'}})
            response = request.execute()
            print(f'Disk encryption enabled for disk: {disk_name}')

# Usage example
enable_disk_encryption('your-project-id')
  1. Implement network security groups:
    • Use the Google Cloud Compute Engine API to retrieve a list of all instances in your GCP project.
    • Write a Python script to iterate through the instances and configure network security groups (firewall rules) to restrict inbound and outbound traffic based on your requirements.
from googleapiclient import discovery

def configure_network_security_groups(project_id):
    service = discovery.build('compute', 'v1')
    request = service.instances().list(project=project_id)
    response = request.execute()
    
    for instance in response['items']:
        instance_name = instance['name']
        zone = instance['zone'].split('/')[-1]
        network_interface = instance['networkInterfaces'][0]['name']
        firewall_rules = [
            {
                'name': 'allow-http',
                'allowed': [{'IPProtocol': 'tcp', 'ports': ['80']}],
                'sourceRanges': ['0.0.0.0/0'],
                'targetTags': ['http']
            },
            {
                'name': 'allow-ssh',
                'allowed': [{'IPProtocol': 'tcp', 'ports': ['22']}],
                'sourceRanges': ['0.0.0.0/0'],
                'targetTags': ['ssh']
            }
        ]
        request = service.firewalls().insert(project=project_id, body={'name': f'{instance_name}-firewall', 'network': 'global/networks/default', 'targetTags': ['http', 'ssh'], 'direction': 'INGRESS', 'rules': firewall_rules})
        response = request.execute()
        print(f'Network security groups configured for instance: {instance_name}')

# Usage example
configure_network_security_groups('your-project-id')

Please note that the above scripts are just examples and may need to be modified based on your specific requirements and project setup.