Postgres Audit

One response

1. Certainly! Here’s a checklist for conducting a security review of a PostgreSQL database. This covers several areas to help ensure your database is secure:

   PostgreSQL Security Review Checklist

   1. User and Role Management

   • Ensure there are no default accounts with unnecessary permissions.
   • Review roles and permissions to follow the principle of least privilege.
   • Check for any role or user accounts that are no longer in use and remove them.
   • Verify strong password policies (complexity, expiration).
   • Ensure that superuser access is restricted and documented.

   2. Authentication and Access Control

   • Check authentication methods (e.g., md5, scram-sha-256, etc.) used in pg_hba.conf.
   • Ensure SSL is enabled for connections to encrypt data in transit.
   • Verify that host-based authentication is configured correctly.
   • Review connection limits for users and roles to prevent denial of service.

   3. Database Configuration

   • Review the PostgreSQL configuration file (postgresql.conf) for security-related settings.
   • Ensure logging is enabled and configured for access attempts, errors, and events.
   • Check if log_connections and log_disconnections are enabled.
   • Set appropriate values for max_connections, shared_buffers, and work_mem as per workload requirements.

   4. Data Encryption

   • Verify that data at rest is encrypted using file system or disk encryption.
   • Ensure sensitive data fields are encrypted within the application or using PostgreSQL extensions (e.g., pgcrypto).
   • Check that backups are encrypted and securely stored.

   5. Vulnerability Management

   • Ensure that PostgreSQL is running the latest stable version with security patches applied.
   • Review open vulnerabilities in the PostgreSQL installation using vulnerability management tools.
   • Regularly Audit extensions and plugins for known vulnerabilities.

   6. Auditing and Monitoring

   • Implement and configure an auditing system to track database activity.
   • Use tools such as pgAudit for enhanced logging.
   • Monitor for unauthorized changes to database objects and schemas.
   • Set up alerts for suspicious activities or access patterns.

   7. Network Security

   • Ensure that the database is not exposed to the public internet.
   • Use firewalls to control access to PostgreSQL ports (default is 5432).
   • Implement Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) or SSH tunnels for remote access.

   8. Backup and Recovery

   • Check that automated backup processes are in place and regularly tested.
   • Ensure that backups are stored securely and encrypted.
   • Periodically test the restore process to verify backup integrity.

   9. Documentation and Compliance

   • Maintain comprehensive documentation of the PostgreSQL architecture, user roles, and policies.
   • Ensure compliance with data protection regulations relevant to your organization (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.).
   • Regularly review policies and procedures to align with security best practices.

   10. Incident Response

   • Develop an incident response plan specifically for database security incidents.
   • Regularly train staff on security protocols and incident response procedures.

   Final Thoughts

   This checklist serves as a foundational guide for securing your PostgreSQL database. Adapt and expand upon it based on your specific organizational needs and threat landscape. Regular reviews and updates are crucial to maintaining security over time.

   Log in to Reply