> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/aws-s3-bucket-or-object-was-exposed-to-public-access.md).

# AWS S3 bucket or object was exposed to public access

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                      |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                    |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                    |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                                                         |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                                                      |
| Required Data        | AWS Audit Log                                                                              |
| Detection Modules    | Cloud                                                                                      |
| Detector Tags        | Cloud Data Asset Exfiltration, Cloud Data Asset Public Exposure, Data Detection & Response |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Defense Impairment (TA0112)                                                                |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Disable or Modify Tools (T1685)                                                            |
| Severity             | Low                                                                                        |

### Description

AWS S3 bucket or object was publicly shared.

### Attacker's Goals

* The attacker wants to maintain indirect control over the resource.
* The attacker intends to allow public access, making it harder to detect future activity.
* Attackers are constantly monitoring for public assets to steal sensitive information.

### Investigative actions

* Check if the identity intended to change the state of the bucket or object to public.
* Review the bucket and object ACL policies.
* Verify whether exposed objects contain any sensitive information.
* Restrict permissions for the identity if needed.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>AWS S3 bucket was exposed to public access by admin cloud identity</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                           |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Impairment (TA0112)     |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Disable or Modify Tools (T1685) |
| Severity          | Informational                   |

**Description**

AWS S3 bucket or object was publicly shared.

**Attacker's Goals**

* The attacker wants to maintain indirect control over the resource.
* The attacker intends to allow public access, making it harder to detect future activity.
* Attackers are constantly monitoring for public assets to steal sensitive information.

**Investigative actions**

* Check if the identity intended to change the state of the bucket or object to public.
* Review the bucket and object ACL policies.
* Verify whether exposed objects contain any sensitive information.
* Restrict permissions for the identity if needed.

</details>

<details>

<summary>AWS S3 bucket was exposed to public access containing sensitive information</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                           |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Impairment (TA0112)     |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Disable or Modify Tools (T1685) |
| Severity          | High                            |

**Description**

AWS S3 bucket or object was publicly shared.

**Attacker's Goals**

* The attacker wants to maintain indirect control over the resource.
* The attacker intends to allow public access, making it harder to detect future activity.
* Attackers are constantly monitoring for public assets to steal sensitive information.

**Investigative actions**

* Check if the identity intended to change the state of the bucket or object to public.
* Review the bucket and object ACL policies.
* Verify whether exposed objects contain any sensitive information.
* Restrict permissions for the identity if needed.

</details>


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