Cis AWS Compute 5.1

5.1 Apply updates to any apps running in Lightsail (Manual)

Description

Amazon Lightsail is a virtual private server (VPS) provider and is the easiest way to get started with AWS for developers, small businesses, students, and other users who need a solution to build and host their applications on cloud.

Rationale

Lightsail offers a range of operating system and application templates that are automatically installed when you create a new Lightsail instance. Application templates include WordPress, Drupal, Joomla!, Ghost, Magento, Redmine, LAMP, Nginx (LEMP), MEAN, Node.js, Django, and more. You can install additional software on your instances by using the in-browser SSH or your own SSH client.

Impact

N/A

Audit Procedure

Using AWS Console

To confirm that you are running the latest version of the application you are using is a manual process. Often dependent on the application itself and the operating system you are utilizing for the Lightsail instance.

1. Login to AWS Console using https://console.aws.amazon.com
2. Click All services, click Lightsail under Compute.
3. This will open up the Lightsail console.
4. Select the Instance you want to review.
5. Make sure the instance status is running.
6. Connect to the instance.
7. Depending on the instance OS and the application you are running determine what version it is and if there are any updates.
8. If there are updates refer to the remediation below.
9. Repeat steps no. 4 - 8 to verify if any Lightsail instances require application updates.

Using AWS CLI

N/A - This is a manual process dependent on the application and OS.

Expected Result

All applications running on Lightsail instances should be running the latest stable version with all security patches applied.

Remediation

Using AWS Console

1. Login to AWS Console using https://console.aws.amazon.com
2. Click All services, click Lightsail under Compute.
3. This will open up the Lightsail console.
4. Select the Instance you want to update.
5. Make sure the instance status is running.
6. Click on Snapshots
7. Under Manual snapshots click on + Create snapshot
8. Give it a name you will recognize
9. Click on create

While in process it will show 'Snapshotting...'

10. Once the date and time and snapshot name appears it is completed.
11. Click on Connect
12. Run the updates for the application discovered above in the Audit.
13. Repeat steps no. 4 - 12 to apply any application updates required on the Lightsail instances that you are running.

Using AWS CLI

N/A - This is a manual process dependent on the application and OS.

Default Value

Applications are installed with the version available at instance creation time. Updates are not applied automatically.

References

1. https://lightsail.aws.amazon.com/ls/docs/en_us/overview
2. https://aws.amazon.com/lightsail/features/?opdp2=features/?pg=ln&sec=hs

CIS Controls

Profile

Level 1 | Manual