Forensics after an object storage incident: Part 2

Forensics after an object storage incident: Part 2 - Investigating Cloud Storage Misconfigurations, Malware, and Ransomware Attacks in AWS

Discover how to take control of cloud storage security with a focused approach to detecting, investigating, and responding to threats like malware, misconfigurations, and ransomware in AWS environments. This whitepaper guides organizations through using tools such as CloudTrail, S3 Access Logs, and GuardDuty, paired with NIST 800-61 R3-aligned response playbooks. Gain the insights and structure needed to strengthen forensic readiness, reduce incident impact, and protect critical data stored in Amazon S3.

This paper discusses:

The growing impact of malware uploads, storage misconfigurations, and ransomware attacks on cloud environments—highlighting real-world incidents and the forensic challenges they present.

How to detect and investigate threats using AWS-native tools like CloudTrail, S3 Access Logs, VPC Flow Logs, and GuardDuty to track file movement, identify attack patterns, and uncover unauthorized access.

NIST 800-61 R3-aligned incident response playbooks for malware, misconfigurations, and ransomware—detailing step-by-step guidance for containment, eradication, and recovery.

How integrating SIEM and SOAR solutions with AWS services streamlines detection and response, improves post-incident visibility, and helps security teams act faster and more effectively across cloud storage incidents.

Summarized Excerpt

As cloud storage adoption expands, so do the risks associated with misconfigurations, ransomware, and malicious file uploads. Incidents involving public exposure of sensitive data, unauthorized access through compromised credentials, and attacks leveraging cloud-native APIs underscore the need for organizations to move beyond reactive security measures. Establishing forensic readiness and proactive threat detection is now a critical component of modern cloud storage strategy.

This paper provides a detailed framework for investigating and responding to storage-based incidents using AWS-native tools such as CloudTrail, S3 Access Logs, VPC Flow Logs, and GuardDuty. It introduces NIST 800-61 R3-aligned playbooks for malware, data exposure, and ransomware scenarios—outlining practical steps for containment, eradication, and recovery. These playbooks are designed to guide security teams through real-world response workflows while reducing time to resolution and ensuring alignment with industry best practices.

In addition, the guide highlights the benefits of integrating SIEM and SOAR platforms for centralized incident management. By correlating alerts, automating remediation actions, and standardizing response across environments, organizations can strengthen their cloud storage posture, improve operational efficiency, and reduce the overall impact of security events.

Building a Strategy to Secure Your Cloud Storage