Security Risk Assessment #1105
Description
Security Risk Assessment
While reviewing the Docker ELK stack configuration for production deployment considerations, I identified several security concerns that could expose Elasticsearch clusters to significant risks in enterprise environments.
Issues Identified
Critical: Default Password Configuration
File: .env (lines 10, 16, 21)
ELASTIC_PASSWORD='changeme'
LOGSTASH_INTERNAL_PASSWORD='changeme'
KIBANA_SYSTEM_PASSWORD='changeme'Risk Impact:
- Severity: Critical (P0)
- Exposure: Complete cluster access with superuser privileges
- Attack Vector: Default credentials are well-known and easily exploitable
- Business Impact: Data breaches, log tampering, service disruption
High: Network Port Exposure
File: docker-compose.yml (lines 70-71)
ports:
- 9200:9200 # Elasticsearch REST API
- 9300:9300 # Cluster communicationRisk Impact:
- Direct external access to Elasticsearch APIs
- Potential for unauthorized data access if combined with default passwords
- Missing network segmentation controls
Recommendations
Immediate Actions
- Update Documentation: Add prominent security warnings about changing default passwords
- Environment Template: Consider using placeholder values like
CHANGE_THIS_PASSWORD - Security Checklist: Provide pre-production security validation steps
Enhanced Security
# Example secure password generation
ELASTIC_PASSWORD=$(openssl rand -base64 32)
LOGSTASH_INTERNAL_PASSWORD=$(openssl rand -base64 32)
KIBANA_SYSTEM_PASSWORD=$(openssl rand -base64 32)Context
This review was conducted as part of systematic configuration security analysis for enterprise infrastructure deployments. The ELK stack's widespread usage (16k+ stars) makes these security considerations particularly important for the community.
Assessment Focus: Configuration security, not application vulnerabilities
Scope: Docker Compose deployment configuration
Environment: Production readiness evaluation
Security Review Team
Configuration Security Analysis