Terraform security scanning tools - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the main purpose of Terraform security scanning tools?

Terraform security scanning tools check your infrastructure code for security risks before deployment. They help find mistakes that could cause vulnerabilities.

beginner

Name a popular open-source tool used to scan Terraform code for security issues.

Tfsec is a popular open-source tool that scans Terraform code to find security problems quickly and clearly.

intermediate

How does a tool like Checkov help with Terraform security?

Checkov scans Terraform files and compares them to best security practices. It points out risks and suggests fixes before you deploy.

intermediate

Why is it important to integrate security scanning tools into your Terraform workflow?

Integrating security scanning early helps catch problems fast. This saves time and avoids costly fixes after deployment.

beginner

What kind of issues can Terraform security scanners detect?

They can find open ports, weak passwords, public access risks, missing encryption, and other common security mistakes.

Which tool is known for scanning Terraform code for security issues?

A Docker

B Git

C Kubernetes

D Tfsec

Tfsec is specifically designed to scan Terraform code for security problems.

What is a key benefit of using Terraform security scanning tools?

A They write Terraform code for you

B They deploy infrastructure automatically

C They find security risks before deployment

D They monitor cloud costs

Security scanning tools help find risks in your code before you deploy infrastructure.

Checkov is best described as a tool that:

A Scans Terraform code for security best practices

B Monitors network traffic

C Creates cloud resources

D Manages Terraform state files

Checkov scans Terraform code to ensure it follows security best practices.

Which issue would a Terraform security scanner likely detect?

A Open ports accessible to the public

B Cloud provider billing errors

C Syntax errors in code

D Slow internet connection

Security scanners check for risks like open ports that could expose your infrastructure.

When should you run Terraform security scanning tools?

A After deployment only

B Before and during development

C Only when errors occur

D Never, they are optional

Running scans early helps catch issues before deployment, saving time and risk.

Explain how Terraform security scanning tools improve your infrastructure deployment process.

Think about catching problems before they cause damage.

List common security issues that Terraform scanning tools can find in your code.

Consider what makes cloud resources unsafe.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Terraform security scanning tools like tfsec?

easy

A. To monitor cloud resource usage costs

B. To deploy Terraform infrastructure automatically

C. To write Terraform code faster with autocomplete

D. To find security risks in Terraform code before deployment

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Terraform security scanning tools

   These tools analyze Terraform code to detect potential security issues early.

2. Step 2: Compare options with tool purpose

   Only To find security risks in Terraform code before deployment matches the purpose of finding security risks before deployment.

3. Final Answer:

   To find security risks in Terraform code before deployment -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Security scanning = find risks [OK]

Hint: Security tools find risks in code before cloud setup [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing scanning tools with deployment tools
• Thinking scanning tools write code
• Assuming scanning tools track costs

2. Which command correctly runs tfsec to scan your Terraform project in the current folder?

easy

A. tfsec scan terraform

B. terraform scan

C. tfsec .

D. terraform tfsec run

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall tfsec usage syntax

   The correct way to run tfsec is by specifying the folder, commonly the current folder with a dot.

2. Step 2: Match command to syntax

   Only tfsec . correctly runs tfsec on the current directory.

3. Final Answer:

   tfsec . -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Run tfsec with folder path, dot means current folder [OK]

Hint: Run tfsec with dot for current folder scan [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using terraform commands instead of tfsec
• Adding extra words like 'scan' or 'run'
• Not specifying folder or using wrong syntax

3. Given this tfsec output snippet:

Warning: AWS S3 bucket is publicly accessible
  File: main.tf:12
  Severity: HIGH

What does this output mean?

medium

A. The S3 bucket in main.tf line 12 allows public access, which is risky

B. The S3 bucket is encrypted and secure

C. The S3 bucket is missing from the Terraform code

D. The S3 bucket is private and safe

Solution

1. Step 1: Interpret tfsec warning message

   The warning says the S3 bucket is publicly accessible, which means anyone can access it.

2. Step 2: Understand security implication

   Public access to S3 buckets is a high-risk security issue, so this is a warning to fix it.

3. Final Answer:

   The S3 bucket in main.tf line 12 allows public access, which is risky -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Public access warning = risky bucket [OK]

Hint: Warnings show risky settings like public access [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking warning means bucket is secure
• Confusing missing resource with public access
• Ignoring file and line number details

4. You ran tfsec . but got an error: command not found: tfsec. What is the most likely fix?

medium

A. Run terraform init first

B. Install tfsec on your system and ensure it's in your PATH

C. Change directory to the Terraform root folder

D. Update Terraform version to latest

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the error meaning

   The error means the system cannot find the tfsec command, so it is not installed or not accessible.

2. Step 2: Fix by installing tfsec and adding to PATH

   Installing tfsec and ensuring the command is available in the system PATH fixes this error.

3. Final Answer:

   Install tfsec on your system and ensure it's in your PATH -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Command not found = install tool [OK]

Hint: Install tfsec if command not found error appears [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Running terraform commands instead of installing tfsec
• Assuming directory change fixes command not found
• Updating Terraform version unrelated to tfsec error

5. You want to automate security scanning in your CI pipeline using tfsec. Which approach best ensures security issues are caught before deployment?

hard

A. Run tfsec . before Terraform apply and fail pipeline on warnings

B. Run tfsec . after Terraform apply to check deployed resources

C. Run terraform plan and ignore tfsec

D. Run tfsec . only on production branch merges

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand when to run security scans

   Security scanning should happen before deployment to catch issues early.

2. Step 2: Choose pipeline behavior to enforce security

   Failing the pipeline on warnings ensures no risky code is deployed.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   Running after apply is too late; ignoring tfsec misses risks; scanning only production branch misses early detection.

4. Final Answer:

   Run tfsec . before Terraform apply and fail pipeline on warnings -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Scan before deploy and fail on warnings [OK]

Hint: Scan before deploy and fail on warnings to block risks [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Running scans after deployment
• Ignoring tfsec in pipeline
• Scanning only production branch too late