How does EchelonGraph detect CIS AWS 1.1 violations?

EchelonGraph automatically detects CIS AWS 1.1 violations using scanner rule AWS-IAM-001. The scanner checks cloud infrastructure configurations in real-time and flags non-compliant resources.

How do I remediate CIS AWS 1.1?

Enable MFA on the root account via IAM Console \u003e Dashboard \u003e Activate MFA on your root account.

What audit questions are asked for CIS AWS 1.1?

Is hardware MFA (not virtual) enabled on the root account? Is the root account password stored in a secure vault? When was the root account last accessed? Are root account access keys deleted?

🟠CIS AWS 1.1Rule: AWS-IAM-001critical

Ensure MFA is enabled for the root account

Description

The root account has unrestricted access to all resources. MFA must be enabled.

⚠️ Risk Impact

Root account compromise grants full control over all AWS resources. Without MFA, a stolen password means total account takeover.

🔍 How EchelonGraph Detects This

AWS-IAM-001Automated scanner rule

EchelonGraph's Tier 1 Cloud Scanner automatically checks for this condition across all connected AWS accounts. Violations are flagged as critical-severity findings with remediation guidance.

🔧 Remediation

Enable MFA on the root account via IAM Console > Dashboard > Activate MFA on your root account.

💀 Real-World Attack Scenario

An attacker obtained the root account email through WHOIS data and the password via a credential dump. Without MFA, they logged in, created a new admin IAM user, deleted CloudTrail, and launched 200 c5.18xlarge instances for cryptomining — generating $87,000 in charges within 48 hours.

💰 Cost of Non-Compliance

Root account takeover is catastrophic: average cost $2.4M including remediation, legal, and new account migration. AWS reports root compromise accounts for 63% of all account hijacking incidents. Regulatory fines for inadequate root protection: $500K-$5M.

📋 Audit Questions

1.Is hardware MFA (not virtual) enabled on the root account?
2.Is the root account password stored in a secure vault?
3.When was the root account last accessed?
4.Are root account access keys deleted?

🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Mapping

T1078 — Valid AccountsT1078.004 — Cloud Accounts

⚡ Common Pitfalls

⛔Using virtual MFA instead of hardware MFA for root (virtual MFA can be compromised via phone)
⛔Not monitoring root account login events in CloudTrail
⛔Having root access keys still active alongside MFA

📈 Business Value

Root MFA is the single most critical AWS security control. It prevents total account takeover and is the first checkpoint in every AWS security audit.

⏱️ Effort Estimate

Manual

15 minutes to enable hardware MFA

With EchelonGraph

EchelonGraph continuously monitors root MFA status

🔗 Cross-Framework References

SOC2-CC6.1ISO27001-A.9.4.2PCI-8.3.1

Automate CIS AWS 1.1 compliance

EchelonGraph continuously monitors this control across all your cloud accounts.

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