La conférence Quarks in the shell 2023 - Google Apps Script

Summary

This video demonstrates the potential vulnerabilities in Google Apps and Google Apps Script, highlighting how attackers can exploit Google Drive and related services to exfiltrate sensitive data. By using phishing techniques and unauthorized app access, attackers can gain control over a victim's Google Drive and automate malicious activities. The video also emphasizes the risks in enterprise environments, where Google Apps Scripts can be used to bypass security systems. It concludes with recommended security measures such as awareness training, restricting app permissions, and monitoring suspicious activity to protect against such threats.

Takeaways

• 😀 Google Apps Script can be exploited by attackers to access and exfiltrate sensitive files from a victim’s Google Drive.
• 😀 Victims often unknowingly grant malicious applications access to their Google Drive by ignoring security alerts, which allows attackers to manipulate data.
• 😀 The attacker can create a folder in the victim's Google Drive that contains exfiltrated files, making it appear as though nothing has changed on the victim’s side initially.
• 😀 Google provides powerful tools like Google Apps Script and Google Drive, but these tools can be misused for various malicious activities like data exfiltration and manipulation.
• 😀 Google security alerts may warn users about unverified applications, but they often continue to grant access, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.
• 😀 Training and educating users about phishing and social engineering attacks is essential to reduce the effectiveness of these types of exploits.
• 😀 It is crucial to restrict the use of Google Apps Script in professional environments to prevent misuse by malicious actors.
• 😀 Monitoring and restricting web requests and queries involving Google services can help detect and mitigate potential security threats, including cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
• 😀 Google Workspace and Apps Script can be used to manipulate enterprise environments, including user directories and admin privileges, which creates additional attack vectors.
• 😀 Cloud-based tools, such as Google Apps Script, require strong security measures because they offer a broad range of functions that can be exploited by attackers to bypass security controls.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the demonstration in the video?

The video demonstrates how an attacker can exploit Google Apps Script and Google Drive to perform phishing attacks and exfiltrate data from a victim's Google account.

How does the attacker gain access to the victim's Google Drive?

The attacker uses phishing techniques to convince the victim to approve an unverified Google application, which grants the attacker permission to access and steal data from the victim's Google Drive.

What is the significance of Google Apps Script in this attack?

Google Apps Script allows attackers to automate actions within the Google ecosystem, enabling them to steal files and sensitive information from a victim’s Google Drive without direct interaction.

What does the attacker do once the victim grants permissions to the malicious application?

After the victim grants permissions, the attacker is able to create a folder on the victim’s Google Drive, which stores the victim's sensitive files and data, including passwords.

How does the victim realize something is wrong during the attack?

The victim receives a security alert from Google indicating that the application is unverified. However, the victim proceeds to click through the warning and grant permissions, unknowingly allowing the attacker to access their files.

What are some of the specific permissions granted to the malicious application?

The malicious application is granted permissions to display, download, modify, create Google Drive files, and even connect to external services, giving the attacker full control over the victim's data.

What are the broader security implications of using Google Apps in an enterprise setting?

Google Apps, particularly Google Workspace, is a powerful tool, but its automation capabilities can make it harder to detect malicious activity. If misused, it can lead to data exfiltration and compromise company security.

What protective measures can organizations take to prevent this type of attack?

Organizations should train users to recognize phishing attempts, restrict the use of Google Apps Script for professional accounts, and monitor activity on Google services to detect unusual actions or unauthorized access.

What is the role of IP whitelisting in defending against Google Apps Script attacks?

IP whitelisting may not be effective against attacks that use Google’s own IPs, as attackers can exploit Google’s infrastructure to bypass security measures and perform data exfiltration without triggering alarms.

How can Google Apps Script be used for data exfiltration beyond the demonstrated scenario?

Google Apps Script can be programmed to make web requests that retrieve sensitive data or inject malicious scripts, including JavaScript-based attacks, allowing attackers to steal data in various ways within the Google ecosystem.