The uncontrolled accumulation of permissions across non-human identities, leading to security vulnerabilities.
Description
Permission sprawl refers to the situation where non-human identities, such as service accounts, API keys, and automated processes, accumulate excessive permissions over time without proper oversight. This often happens in complex IT environments where multiple teams or individuals create and manage non-human identities without a centralized governance model. As a result, these identities may end up with permissions that exceed their operational needs, increasing the attack surface and making it easier for malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities. Moreover, permission sprawl can complicate compliance audits and make it difficult to track which entities have access to sensitive resources. To mitigate permission sprawl, organizations need to implement strict identity and access management (IAM) practices, regularly review and audit permissions, and adopt the principle of least privilege, ensuring that non-human identities are granted only the permissions necessary for their functions.
Examples
- A cloud service account that has been granted access to multiple sensitive databases without regular audits.
- An API key used by a legacy application that retains access to resources no longer relevant to its function.
Additional Information
- Implementing automated tools for monitoring and managing permissions can help reduce sprawl.
- Regular training for teams on best practices in identity management can prevent the emergence of permission sprawl.