Hypervisor Security in Cloud Computing

Pre-requisite: Cloud Computing

A Hypervisor is a layer of software that enables virtualization by creating and managing virtual machines (VMs). It acts as a bridge between the physical hardware and the virtualized environment. Each VM can run independently of one other because the hypervisor abstracts the underlying physical hardware and offers a virtual environment for each one. This makes it possible for several virtual machines (VMs) to share the same physical resources, such as CPU, memory, and storage, improving resource utilization and lowering costs for both the cloud provider and the end user.

The two primary categories of hypervisors are: 

1. Type 1 Hypervisor: Bare-metal hypervisors, also referred to as type 1 hypervisors, operate directly on the physical host and give access to the underlying hardware. 
2. Type 2 Hypervisor: Type 2 hypervisors, commonly referred to as hosted hypervisors, function as virtualization services for numerous VMs while running on an operating system.

Hypervisor Security

Hypervisor security refers to the measures taken to protect the hypervisor and the VMs it manages from potential security threats. Below are some key aspects of hypervisor security: 

• Access Control: The hypervisor and its configuration parameters should only be accessible to authorized users. Through systems for authentication and authorization, access should be limited.
• Isolation of Virtual Machines: The hypervisor should make sure that VMs are kept apart from one another and that their operations don't compromise the security or stability of other VMs, the hypervisor, or both.
• Threat Detection and Mitigation: The hypervisor must include security tools that can quickly identify and address possible threats. For instance, firewalls, antivirus programs, and intrusion detection systems.
• Patch Management: To keep the hypervisor secure and stop vulnerabilities from being exploited, regular software upgrades and patches are essential.
• Data Encryption: To prevent theft and illegal access, sensitive data stored within VMs should be encrypted. 

Need for Hypervisor Security 

1. Protection of Sensitive Data: Sensitive information, including financial, personal, and intellectual property, is frequently processed and stored in virtualized settings. In order to safeguard sensitive data from illegal access, theft, and tampering, the hypervisor must be secured.
2. Ensuring System Stability: A security flaw in the hypervisor could jeopardize the stability of the entire virtualized environment and result in a significant disruption of company operations.
3. Compliance: To protect sensitive data, firms must establish strong security measures in accordance with many industries' requirements and standards. There could be financial penalties and non-compliance if the hypervisor is not secured.
4. Reputation Protection: A security breach may cause harm to an organization's standing and decrease client confidence. 
5. Preventing Malicious Attacks: To steal data, interfere with corporate processes, or spread malware, attackers frequently target virtualized environments. It's crucial to protect the hypervisor from these destructive attacks. 

Hypervisor Vulnerabilities 

1. Denial of Service (DoS): The operation of the virtualized environment can be interfered with or stopped by utilizing a hypervisor's Denial of Service vulnerability. Loss of productivity and probable data loss are possible outcomes of this.
2. Code Execution: A program execution flaw in the hypervisor might give a hacker access to the virtualized environment and allow them to run malicious code. Data theft, unauthorized access, and system stability issues may occur from this.
3. Running Unnecessary Services: Running extraneous services on a hypervisor might expand its attack surface and expose it to more threats. Deterioration in performance may also follow from this. 
4. Memory Corruption: A memory corruption flaw in the hypervisor can be used to disrupt regular system operation, possibly resulting in data loss or unauthorized access.
5. Non-Updated Hypervisor: Using a hypervisor that hasn't been updated recently can reveal vulnerabilities that have been fixed in more recent versions. Attackers may use these flaws to access confidential information or obstruct the functioning of the virtualized environment.

Best Practices for Hypervisor Security 

1. Mitigate Specter and Meltdown: These flaws in current computer processors can be used to get access to confidential data. Organizations should install software updates, set operating systems and programs to only execute secure processor instructions, and restrict the exchange of sensitive data between virtual machines to lessen the impact of these risks.
2. Patch Hypervisor Regularly Hosts: To fix known flaws and fend against potential threats, the hypervisor must be patched and updated on a regular basis.
3. Limit Access to Hypervisor Host Management: Only authorized individuals should have access to the hypervisor host management. To prevent unwanted access, organizations should have strong authentication measures in place, such as multi-factor authentication. 
4. Audit Access to Hypervisor Hosts: Organizations should routinely audit access to hypervisor hosts, keeping an eye out for unauthorized or unusual access attempts.
5. Limiting Network Access to Hypervisor Host Management: Only secure networks should have access to the hypervisor host management, which should be segregated from open networks. To enforce network access limits, organizations should utilize firewalls and other network security tools.
6. Use virtual machine encryption: Even if the virtual machine is compromised, encryption can stop unauthorized access to critical data.
7. Use UEFI Secure Boot: UEFI Secure Boot can help to prevent the execution of malicious programs during the boot process. Utilizing UEFI secure boot will assist organizations to protect against malicious attacks and preserve the integrity of the hypervisor. 
8. Use virtualization-based security (VBS): VBS is a feature that protects virtual machines at the hardware level, assisting in preventing attackers from infiltrating the hypervisor or gaining access to confidential information. To increase the security of the virtualized environment, organizations should deploy VBS. 

These best practices can help organizations enhance the security of their virtualized environment and reduce the risk of potential attacks. It is important to regularly review and update security measures to stay ahead of evolving threats. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, hypervisor security is a critical aspect of virtualized environments. The hypervisor acts as a bridge between the physical hardware and virtualized environment, making it a prime target for attackers. Ensuring the security of the hypervisor is crucial in protecting sensitive data, complying with regulations, protecting reputation, and maintaining the stability of the virtualized environment.