AWS Penetration Testing Methodology Guide

This white paper presents a structured approach to black-box penetration testing for AWS environments, focusing on identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities. It outlines the methodology in phases, beginning with information gathering, where testers identify publicly exposed resources and misconfigurations without direct access to the target. The document details specific steps for enumerating S3 buckets, searching for exposed Git logs, and scanning websites and APIs. It further discusses the importance of identifying misconfigurations and weaknesses, emphasizing common issues like overly permissive IAM roles and open security groups. The paper also highlights tools that enhance testing efficiency, such as Shodan and Censys, and provides explicit steps for exploiting vulnerabilities to gain access to AWS resources. The guide aims to equip security professionals with practical techniques to uncover potential entry points and improve cloud security.