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PAM (Privileged Access Management) is a security framework designed to manage, monitor, and control access to sensitive systems, data, and applications. It provides a centralized platform to manage privileged accounts, which are accounts with elevated permissions that can access sensitive resources.
How Does PAM Work?
- Privileged Account Discovery: PAM discovers and inventories all privileged accounts across the organization.
- Account Onboarding: PAM onboards privileged accounts, which involves creating, updating, and deleting accounts as needed.
- Access Request and Approval: Users request access to privileged accounts, and PAM routes the request to designated approvers for approval.
- Session Management: PAM establishes a secure session for the user to access the privileged account, and monitors the session in real-time.
- Session Recording and Auditing: PAM records and audits all privileged sessions, providing a detailed record of all activities.
- Password Management: PAM securely stores and manages privileged account passwords, and rotates them regularly.
Tools Used in PAM:
- Privileged Account Management Software: CyberArk, BeyondTrust, Centrify
- Password Vaults: HashiCorp’s Vault, Thycotic’s Secret Server
- Session Management Tools: Bomgar, ObserveIT
- Auditing and Logging Tools: Splunk, ELK Stack
You Should Know:
Here are practical commands and steps for implementing PAM-related security measures:
Linux Privilege Management:
List all users with sudo privileges grep -Po '^sudo.+:\K.$' /etc/group Audit sudo commands cat /var/log/auth.log | grep sudo Set up session recording sudo apt install tlog tlog-rec --writer=syslog --reader=terminal Rotate passwords regularly sudo chage -M 30 username
Windows Privilege Management:
List administrators Get-LocalGroupMember Administrators Enable PowerShell transcription logging Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\Transcription" -Name "EnableTranscripting" -Value 1 Enable Windows Event Logging for privileged access wevtutil sl Security /e:true
Password Vault Management with HashiCorp Vault:
Start Vault server vault server -dev Store a secret vault kv put secret/admin_pass password="S3cr3tP@ss" Retrieve a secret vault kv get secret/admin_pass
Monitoring with Splunk:
Search for privileged access events index=main (sudo OR "run as admin" OR "privileged access") Create alert for multiple failed sudo attempts index=main "sudo: session opened for user root" | stats count by user | where count > 3
Best Practices for Implementing PAM:
1. Conduct regular privileged account discovery scans
2. Implement just-in-time privileged access
3. Enforce multi-factor authentication for all privileged accounts
4. Automate password rotation for service accounts
- Maintain detailed audit logs of all privileged sessions
What Undercode Say:
Privileged Access Management is the cornerstone of enterprise security. The commands and tools shown here represent just the surface of what’s needed for robust PAM implementation. In Linux environments, combining `sudo` with session recording tools like `tlog` provides visibility, while Windows environments benefit from enhanced PowerShell logging. The real power comes from integrating these system-level controls with enterprise PAM solutions like CyberArk or HashiCorp Vault. Remember to regularly audit privileged access patterns and automate wherever possible to reduce human error. Effective PAM requires both technical controls and organizational policies working in harmony.
Expected Output:
A secure privileged access management system with:
- Comprehensive audit logs of all privileged sessions
- Automated password rotation for service accounts
- Real-time alerts for suspicious privileged access
- Reduced attack surface through least privilege enforcement
- Compliance with relevant security standards (ISO 27001, NIST, etc.)
References:
Reported By: Ahmed Bawkar – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
