analyzing-cloud-storage-access-patterns

name	analyzing-cloud-storage-access-patterns
description	Detect abnormal access patterns in AWS S3, GCS, and Azure Blob Storage by analyzing CloudTrail Data Events, GCS audit logs, and Azure Storage Analytics. Identifies after-hours bulk downloads, access from new IP addresses, unusual API calls (GetObject spikes), and potential data exfiltration using statistical baselines and time-series anomaly detection.
domain	cybersecurity
subdomain	cloud-security
tags	["analyzing","cloud","storage","access"]
version	1.0
author	mahipal
license	Apache-2.0
atlas_techniques	["AML.T0024","AML.T0056"]
nist_ai_rmf	["MEASURE-2.7","MAP-5.1","MANAGE-2.4"]
nist_csf	["PR.IR-01","ID.AM-08","GV.SC-06","DE.CM-01"]

Analyzing Cloud Storage Access Patterns

When to Use

• When investigating security incidents that require analyzing cloud storage access patterns
• When building detection rules or threat hunting queries for this domain
• When SOC analysts need structured procedures for this analysis type
• When validating security monitoring coverage for related attack techniques

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with cloud security concepts and tools
• Access to a test or lab environment for safe execution
• Python 3.8+ with required dependencies installed
• Appropriate authorization for any testing activities

Instructions

1. Install dependencies: pip install boto3 requests
2. Query CloudTrail for S3 Data Events using AWS CLI or boto3.
3. Build access baselines: hourly request volume, per-user object counts, source IP history.
4. Detect anomalies:
   • After-hours access (outside 8am-6pm local time)
   • Bulk downloads: >100 GetObject calls from single principal in 1 hour
   • New source IPs not seen in the prior 30 days
   • ListBucket enumeration spikes (reconnaissance indicator)
5. Generate prioritized findings report.

python scripts/agent.py --bucket my-sensitive-data --hours-back 24 --output s3_access_report.json

Examples

CloudTrail S3 Data Event

{"eventName": "GetObject", "requestParameters": {"bucketName": "sensitive-data", "key": "financials/q4.xlsx"},
 "sourceIPAddress": "203.0.113.50", "userIdentity": {