The State of Secrets Sprawl report 2024 is now live!

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My Cloudflare API Credential leaked! What should I do?

What is a Cloudflare API Credential and how it is used?

A Cloudflare API Credential is a set of authentication information used to access the Cloudflare API, allowing developers to interact with and manage their Cloudflare services programmatically.

When it comes to Cloudflare API Credentials, developers should understand the main use cases:

  • Authentication: Cloudflare API Credentials are used to authenticate and authorize access to the Cloudflare API. Developers use these credentials to interact with Cloudflare services programmatically.
  • Automated Tasks: Developers can use Cloudflare API Credentials to automate tasks such as managing DNS records, configuring security settings, and monitoring website performance without manual intervention.
  • Integration with Third-Party Tools: Cloudflare API Credentials can be used to integrate Cloudflare services with third-party tools and services, enabling developers to create custom workflows and enhance their applications' capabilities.

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1. Code snippets to prevent Cloudflare API Credential hardcoding using environment variables

Using environment variables for Cloudflare API credentials in your code is a secure practice because:

  • Environment variables are not hard-coded in the codebase, reducing the risk of exposure in case the code is leaked or shared.
  • Environment variables are stored outside of the code repository, providing an additional layer of security.
  • Environment variables can be managed and rotated easily without changing the code, making it simpler to update credentials regularly for security purposes.

How to secure your secrets using environment variables

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2. Code snippet to prevent Cloudflare API Credential hardcoding using AWS Secrets Manager

Using AWS Secrets Manager to manage Cloudflare API Credentials is a secure way to handle sensitive data. Here are code snippets in five different programming languages that demonstrate how to retrieve the Cloudflare API Credential from AWS Secrets Manager.

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3. Code snippet to prevent Cloudflare API Credential hardcoding using HashiCorp Vault

Using HashiCorp Vault for managing Cloudflare API Credentials is a great way to enhance security. Here are code snippets in five different programming languages for securely handling a Cloudflare API Credential using HashiCorp Vault.

Remember to replace the VAULT_ADDR and VAULT_TOKEN with your Vault server address and authentication token. The snippets assume that the Cloudflare API Credential is stored under the api_key field within Vault. The specifics of the Vault path and field names should be adjusted to match your Vault setup.

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How to generate a Cloudflare API Credential?

To generate a Cloudflare API Credential, developers need to follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Cloudflare account.
  2. Go to the "My Profile" section.
  3. Under the "API Tokens" tab, click on "Create Token".
  4. Choose the permissions and scope for the API Token based on your requirements.
  5. Generate the token and make note of it as it will not be shown again.

For more detailed instructions and information, you can refer to the official Cloudflare documentation on API Tokens here.

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My Cloudflare API Credential leaked, what are the possible reasons?

There are several reasons why a Cloudflare API Credential might have been leaked:

  • 1. Insecure storage: Storing API credentials in plain text files, hardcoded in source code, or in public repositories can lead to leaks.
  • 2. Phishing attacks: If developers fall victim to phishing emails or websites, attackers can obtain their Cloudflare API credentials.
  • 3. Weak passwords: Using weak or easily guessable passwords for Cloudflare accounts can make it easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access.
  • 4. Malware infections: Malware on a developer's machine can capture API credentials as they are entered or accessed.
  • 5. Insider threats: Disgruntled employees or contractors with access to Cloudflare API credentials may leak them intentionally.

What are the risks of leaking a Cloudflare API Credential

As a security trainer, it's important to educate developers on the risks associated with leaking a Cloudflare API Credential. A Cloudflare API Credential is a sensitive piece of information that, if exposed, can lead to serious security breaches and potential data loss. Here are some specific risks developers should be aware of:

  • Data Breaches: If a Cloudflare API Credential is leaked, malicious actors could gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored on Cloudflare's servers.
  • Unauthorized Access: With access to a Cloudflare API Credential, attackers can manipulate DNS settings, change firewall rules, or even take down websites, causing significant disruption to services.
  • Financial Loss: Compromised Cloudflare API Credentials can be used to incur high costs by launching DDoS attacks or other malicious activities that result in unexpected charges.
  • Reputation Damage: A security incident resulting from a leaked Cloudflare API Credential can damage the reputation of the organization, leading to loss of trust from customers and partners.

It is crucial for developers to implement robust secret management practices, such as storing API Credentials securely, rotating them regularly, and restricting access to only authorized personnel. Additionally, developers should be vigilant in detecting any potential leaks or unauthorized access to sensitive information to prevent security incidents.

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Cloudflare API Credential security best practices

  • Avoid embedding the secret directly in your code. Instead, use environment variables or secrets managers
  • Secure storage: store the Cloudflare API Credential in a secure location, such as a password manager or a secrets management service.
  • Regular rotation: periodically rotate the API key to minimize the risk of long-term exposure.
  • Restrict permissions: apply the principle of least privilege by only granting the key the minimum necessary permissions.
  • Monitor usage: regularly check the usage logs for any unusual activity or unauthorized access attempts.
  • Implement access controls: limit the number of users who have access to the secret and enforce strong authentication measures.
  • Use a secrets manager: utilize secret management tools like CyberArk or AWS Secrets Manager for enhanced security.

By adhering to the best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk associated with Cloudflare API Credential usage and improve the overall security of your Cloudflare API Credential implementations.

Exposing secrets on GitHub: What to do after leaking Credential and API keys

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Cloudflare API Credential leak remediation: what to do

What to do if you expose a secret: How to stay calm and respond to an incident [cheat sheet included]

How to check if Cloudflare API Credential was used by malicious actors

  • Review Access Logs: Check the access logs of your Cloudflare API Credential account for any unauthorized access or unusual activity. Pay particular attention to access from unfamiliar IP addresses (if you haven’t set up a specific allow list) or at odd hours.
  • Monitor Usage Patterns: Look for anomalies in the usage patterns, such as unexpected spikes in data access or transfer.
  • Check Active Connections and Operations: Review the list of active connections and recent operations on your database. Unusual or unauthorized operations might indicate malicious use.
  • Audit API Usage: If possible, audit the usage of your API key through any logging or monitoring services you have integrated with Cloudflare API Credential. This can give insights into any unauthorized use of your key.

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Steps to revoke the Cloudflare API Credential

Generate a new Cloudflare API Credential:

  • Log into your Cloudflare API Credential account.
  • Navigate to the API section and generate a new API key.

Update Services with the new key:

  • Replace the compromised key with the new key in all your services that use this API key.
  • Ensure all your applications and services are updated with the new key before deactivating the old one.

Deactivate the old Cloudflare API Credential:

  • Once the new key is in place and everything is functioning correctly, deactivate the old API key.
  • This can typically be done from the same section where you generated the new key.

Monitor after key rotation:

  • After deactivating the old key, monitor your systems closely to ensure that all services are running smoothly and that there are no unauthorized access attempts.

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How to understand which services will stop working

  • Inventory of services: keep an inventory of all services and applications that utilize your Cloudflare API Credential.
  • Communication and documentation: Ensure that your team is aware of which services are dependent on the key. Maintain documentation for quick reference.
  • Testing: before deactivating the old key, test your services with the new key in a staging environment. This helps in identifying any services that might face issues post rotation.
  • Fallback strategies: Have a fallback or emergency plan in case a critical service fails after the key rotation. This might include temporary measures or quick rollback procedures.

In summary, the remediation process involves identifying potential misuse, carefully rotating the key, and ensuring minimal disruption to services. Being proactive and having a well-documented process can greatly reduce the risks associated with a compromised API key.

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What about other secrets?

GitGuardian helps developers keep 350+ types of secrets out of source code. GitGuardian’s automated secrets detection and remediation solution secure every step of the development lifecycle, from code to cloud:

  • On developer workstations with git hooks (pre-commit and pre-push);
  • On code sharing platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket;
  • In CI environments (Circle CI, Travis CI, Jenkins CI, GitHub Actions, and many more);
  • In Docker images.

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Environment Variables
Environment Variables
Environment Variables

charge

nullable string

For card errors, the ID of the failed charge.

payment_method_type

nullable string

If the error is specific to the type of payment method, the payment method type that had a problem. This field is only populated for invoice-related errors.

doc_url

nullable string

A URL to more information about the error code reported.

request_log_url

nullable string

A URL to the request log entry in your dashboard.

charge

nullable string

If the error is specific to the type of payment method, the payment method type that had a problem. This field is only populated for invoice-related errors.

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child attributes

type

enum

For some errors that could be handled programmatically, a short string indicating the error code reported.

charge

nullable string

If the error is specific to the type of payment method, the payment method type that had a problem. This field is only populated for invoice-related errors.

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Show
child attributes

type

enum

For some errors that could be handled programmatically, a short string indicating the error code reported.

payment_intent

nullable object

The PaymentIntent object for errors returned on a request involving a PaymentIntent.

setup_intent

nullable object

The SetupIntent object for errors returned on a request involving a SetupIntent.

Hide
Show
child attributes

type

enum

For some errors that could be handled programmatically, a short string indicating the error code reported.

Hide
Show
child attributes

type

enum

For some errors that could be handled programmatically, a short string indicating the error code reported.

CLIENT LIBRARIES

$ gem install stripe
$ pip install stripe
$ composer require stripe/stripe-php
MAVEN
<dependency>
  <groupId>com.stripe</groupId>
  <artifactId>stripe-java</artifactId>
  <version>24.16.0</version>
</dependency>

GRADLE
compile "com.stripe:stripe-java:24.16.0"
$ npm install --save stripe
$ go get github.com/stripe/stripe-go/v76
$ nuget install Stripe.net
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