A recent Google Cloud report has found a very troubling trend: nearly half of all cloud-related attacks in late 2024 were caused by weak or missing account credentials. This is seriously endangering businesses and giving attackers easy access to sensitive systems.
What the Report Found
The Threat Horizons Report, which was produced by Google's security experts, looked into cyberattacks on cloud accounts. The study found that the primary method of access was poor credential management, such as weak passwords or lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA). These weak spots comprised nearly 50% of all incidents Google Cloud analyzed.
Another factor was screwed up cloud services, which constituted more than a third of all attacks. The report further noted a frightening trend of attacks on the application programming interfaces (APIs) and even user interfaces, which were around 20% of the incidents. There is a need to point out several areas where cloud security seems to be left wanting.
How Weak Credentials Cause Big Problems
Weak credentials do not just unlock the doors for the attackers; it lets them bring widespread destruction. For instance, in April 2024, over 160 Snowflake accounts were breached due to the poor practices regarding passwords. Some of the high-profile companies impacted included AT&T, Advance Auto Parts, and Pure Storage and involved some massive data leakages.
Attackers are also finding accounts with lots of permissions — overprivileged service accounts. These simply make it even easier for hackers to step further into a network, bringing harm to often multiple systems within an organization's network. Google concluded that more than 60 percent of all later attacker actions, once inside, involve attempts to step laterally within systems.
The report warns that a single stolen password can trigger a chain reaction. Hackers can use it to take control of apps, access critical data, and even bypass security systems like MFA. This allows them to establish trust and carry out more sophisticated attacks, such as tricking employees with fake messages.
How Businesses Can Stay Safe
To prevent such attacks, organizations should focus on proper security practices. Google Cloud suggests using multi-factor authentication, limiting excessive permissions, and fixing misconfigurations in cloud systems. These steps will limit the damage caused by stolen credentials and prevent attackers from digging deeper.
This report is a reminder that weak passwords and poor security habits are not just small mistakes; they can lead to serious consequences for businesses everywhere.
