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Ensure unencrypted LDAP port (389) is not exposed to the internet

### Overview

Category

Controls

Medium

Applies to

AWS

Coverage

null controls, 1 queries

Asset types

1 covered

Overview

Overview

Services and databases store data that may be sensitive, protected by law, subject to regulatory requirements or compliance standards. It is highly recommended that access to data will be restricted to encrypted protocols. This rule detects network settings that may expose data via unencrypted protocol over the public internet or to a too wide local scope.

Remediation guidance

Either remove the unencrypted LDAP port (389) from the security group or allow access to it only to certain resources such as certain CIDR ranges or other security groups. For precise steps, consult the AWS documentation

Multiple Remediation Paths

AWS

SERVICE-WIDE (RECOMMENDED when many resources are affected): Deploy centralized guardrails and remediation using AWS Config Conformance Packs and (if applicable) AWS Organizations SCPs.

aws configservice put-organization-conformance-pack --organization-conformance-pack-name <pack-name> --template-s3-uri s3://<bucket>/<template>.yaml

ASSET-LEVEL: Apply the resource-specific remediation steps above to only the affected assets.

PREVENTIVE: Add CI/CD policy checks (CloudFormation/Terraform validation) before deployment to prevent recurrence.

References for Service-Wide Patterns

  • AWS Config Conformance Packs: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/config/latest/developerguide/conformance-packs.html
  • AWS Organizations SCP examples: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/organizations/latest/userguide/orgs_manage_policies_scps_examples.html

Operational Rollout Workflow

Use this sequence to reduce risk and avoid repeated drift.

1. Contain at Service-Wide Scope First (Recommended)

  • AWS: deploy/adjust organization conformance packs and policy guardrails.
aws configservice put-organization-conformance-pack --organization-conformance-pack-name <pack-name> --template-s3-uri s3://<bucket>/<template>.yaml

2. Remediate Existing Affected Assets

  • Execute the control-specific Console/CLI steps documented above for each flagged resource.
  • Prioritize internet-exposed and production assets first.

3. Validate and Prevent Recurrence

  • Re-scan after each remediation batch.
  • Track exceptions with owner and expiry date.
  • Add preventive checks in IaC/CI pipelines.

Query logic

These are the stored checks tied to this control.

Unencrypted LDAP port (389) is not exposed to the internet

Connectors

AWS

Covered asset types

SecurityGroup

Expected check: eq []

{securityGroups(where: {rules_SOME: {direction: "Inbound", destFromPort_LTE: 389, destToPort_GTE: 389, OR: [{sources_INCLUDES: "cidr:0.0.0.0/0"}, {sources_INCLUDES: "cidr:::/0"}]}}) {...AssetFragment}}
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