Cloud security checklists have become a staple for organizations, but it turns out they don’t work as intended. A new analysis of 11 real-world incidents reveals that identity exposure is often the primary entry point for attackers, who then use cross-domain privilege escalation to bypass security measures and wreak havoc on cloud infrastructure.
The stories behind these breaches paint a concerning picture: in each case, unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems was facilitated by compromised identities. In some instances, this occurred when employees’ credentials were stolen through phishing attacks or insider threats. In others, it was due to misconfigured permissions or inadequate access controls. But regardless of the cause, the end result was the same: attackers used exposed identities as a stepping stone to escalate their privileges and breach sensitive areas of the cloud.
So how does this process work? When an attacker gains control over an identity, they can leverage that access to move laterally across different domains within the cloud. This is often referred to as cross-domain privilege escalation (CDPE). As they navigate through the cloud’s internal structure, attackers seek out “choke points” – areas where security controls are weaker or less robust. Once they’ve identified these vulnerabilities, they can exploit them to create new attack paths and further compromise sensitive data.
The consequences of such breaches can be catastrophic. In one recent case, a large enterprise was left reeling after an attacker used compromised identities to gain access to its cloud-based CRM system. From there, the attacker was able to siphon off millions of dollars in customer payments, leaving the company facing significant financial losses and reputational damage.
What’s striking about these incidents is that they often occur despite the presence of seemingly robust security measures. This highlights a fundamental flaw in the way many organizations approach cloud security: relying on checklists and compliance metrics rather than genuinely understanding the inner workings of their systems. As long as these vulnerabilities remain unaddressed, even the most advanced security controls will be vulnerable to exploitation.
The takeaway from this analysis is clear: identity exposure is a ticking time bomb for cloud security. Organizations must move beyond simplistic checklists and focus on genuine risk assessment and mitigation strategies. This includes implementing robust access controls, monitoring user behavior, and conducting regular penetration testing to identify potential weaknesses. By acknowledging the true nature of these threats, organizations can begin to develop more effective defenses against the ever-evolving threat landscape.
Source: The Hacker News — 2026-09-07