> 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/appsec-rules/iac-security/public-exposure/appsec-aws-291.md).

# MSK nodes are not private misconfiguration detected in code

## Rule Details

|                        |                                           |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| Cortex AppSec Rule ID  | APPSEC\_AWS\_291                          |
| Category - Subcategory | Public Exposure - VPC VCN VNet            |
| Provider               | AWS                                       |
| Severity               | HIGH                                      |
| Framework              | CloudFormation, Terraform, Terraform Plan |

## Impact

This rule is checking if Managed Stream for Kafka (MSK) nodes are set to private in AWS. The rule falls under the networking category. MSK nodes should be private for enhanced security and data protection. If these nodes are set to public, it increases the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches, as it allows anyone on the internet to interact with these nodes. Therefore, this rule is designed to ensure that your MSK nodes are not publicly accessible, prioritizing your data security.

## How to Fix

To fix this issue, you should ensure that your MSK cluster configuration does not include public access. Below is an example of how to set this property in a CloudFormation configuration:

## Example: \[source,go]

{ "Resources": { "MyMSKCluster": { "Type": "AWS::MSK::Cluster", "Properties": { "ClusterName": "example-cluster", "KafkaVersion": "2.6.0", "NumberOfBrokerNodes": 3, "BrokerNodeGroupInfo": { "InstanceType": "kafka.m5.large", "ConnectivityInfo": { "PublicAccess": {

* "Type": "DISABLED" } } } } } } }

***

Resources: MyMSKCluster: Type: AWS::MSK::Cluster Properties: ClusterName: "example-cluster" KafkaVersion: "2.6.0" NumberOfBrokerNodes: 3 BrokerNodeGroupInfo: InstanceType: "kafka.m5.large" ConnectivityInfo: PublicAccess:

* Type: "DISABLED"

***


---

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