proxmox/docs/09-troubleshooting/SECURITY_INCIDENT_RESPONSE.md

# Security Incident Response Procedures

**Last Updated:** 2025-01-20  
**Document Version:** 1.0  
**Status:** Active Documentation

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## Overview

This document outlines procedures for responding to security incidents, including detection, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident activities.

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## Incident Response Phases

### Phase 1: Preparation

**Pre-Incident Activities:**

1. **Incident Response Team:**
   - Define roles and responsibilities
   - Establish communication channels
   - Create contact list

2. **Tools and Resources:**
   - Log collection and analysis tools
   - Forensic tools
   - Backup systems
   - Documentation

3. **Procedures:**
   - Incident classification
   - Escalation procedures
   - Communication templates

---

### Phase 2: Detection and Analysis

#### Detection Methods

1. **Automated Detection:**
   - Intrusion detection systems (IDS)
   - Security information and event management (SIEM)
   - Log analysis
   - Anomaly detection

2. **Manual Detection:**
   - User reports
   - System administrator observations
   - Security audits

#### Incident Classification

**Severity Levels:**

- **Critical:** Active breach, data exfiltration, system compromise
- **High:** Unauthorized access, potential data exposure
- **Medium:** Suspicious activity, policy violations
- **Low:** Minor security events, false positives

#### Initial Analysis

**Information Gathering:**

1. **What Happened:**
   - Timeline of events
   - Affected systems
   - Indicators of compromise (IOCs)

2. **Who/What:**
   - Source of attack
   - Attack vector
   - Tools used

3. **Impact Assessment:**
   - Data accessed/modified
   - Systems compromised
   - Business impact

---

### Phase 3: Containment

#### Short-Term Containment

**Immediate Actions:**

1. **Isolate Affected Systems:**
   ```bash
   # Disable network interface
   ip link set <interface> down
   
   # Block IP addresses
   iptables -A INPUT -s <attacker-ip> -j DROP
   ```

2. **Preserve Evidence:**
   - Take snapshots of affected systems
   - Copy logs
   - Document current state

3. **Disable Compromised Accounts:**
   ```bash
   # Disable user account
   usermod -L <username>
   
   # Revoke API tokens
   # Via Proxmox UI: Datacenter → Permissions → API Tokens
   ```

#### Long-Term Containment

**System Hardening:**

1. **Update Security Controls:**
   - Patch vulnerabilities
   - Update firewall rules
   - Enhance monitoring

2. **Access Control:**
   - Review user accounts
   - Rotate credentials
   - Implement MFA where possible

---

### Phase 4: Eradication

#### Remove Threat

**Actions:**

1. **Remove Malware:**
   ```bash
   # Scan for malware
   clamscan -r /path/to/scan
   
   # Remove infected files
   # (after verification)
   ```

2. **Close Attack Vectors:**
   - Patch vulnerabilities
   - Fix misconfigurations
   - Update security policies

3. **Clean Compromised Systems:**
   - Rebuild from known-good backups
   - Verify system integrity
   - Reinstall if necessary

---

### Phase 5: Recovery

#### System Restoration

**Steps:**

1. **Restore from Backups:**
   - Use pre-incident backups
   - Verify backup integrity
   - Restore systems

2. **Verify System Integrity:**
   - Check system logs
   - Verify configurations
   - Test functionality

3. **Monitor Systems:**
   - Enhanced monitoring
   - Watch for re-infection
   - Track system behavior

#### Service Restoration

**Gradual Restoration:**

1. **Priority Systems First:**
   - Critical services
   - Business-critical applications
   - User-facing services

2. **Verification:**
   - Test each service
   - Verify data integrity
   - Confirm functionality

---

### Phase 6: Post-Incident Activity

#### Lessons Learned

**Post-Incident Review:**

1. **Timeline Review:**
   - Document complete timeline
   - Identify gaps in response
   - Note what worked well

2. **Root Cause Analysis:**
   - Identify root cause
   - Determine contributing factors
   - Document findings

3. **Improvements:**
   - Update procedures
   - Enhance security controls
   - Improve monitoring

#### Documentation

**Incident Report:**

1. **Executive Summary:**
   - Incident overview
   - Impact assessment
   - Response timeline

2. **Technical Details:**
   - Attack vector
   - IOCs
   - Remediation steps

3. **Recommendations:**
   - Security improvements
   - Process improvements
   - Training needs

---

## Incident Response Contacts

### Primary Contacts

- **Security Team Lead:** [Contact Information]
- **Infrastructure Lead:** [Contact Information]
- **Management:** [Contact Information]

### Escalation

- **Level 1:** Security team (immediate)
- **Level 2:** Management (1 hour)
- **Level 3:** External security firm (4 hours)

---

## Common Incident Scenarios

### Unauthorized Access

**Symptoms:**
- Unknown logins
- Unusual account activity
- Failed login attempts

**Response:**
1. Disable compromised accounts
2. Review access logs
3. Change all passwords
4. Investigate source

### Malware Infection

**Symptoms:**
- Unusual system behavior
- High CPU/memory usage
- Network anomalies

**Response:**
1. Isolate affected systems
2. Identify malware
3. Remove malware
4. Restore from backup if needed

### Data Breach

**Symptoms:**
- Unauthorized data access
- Data exfiltration
- Database anomalies

**Response:**
1. Contain breach
2. Assess data exposure
3. Notify affected parties (if required)
4. Enhance security controls

---

## Prevention

### Security Best Practices

1. **Regular Updates:**
   - Keep systems patched
   - Update security tools
   - Review configurations

2. **Monitoring:**
   - Log analysis
   - Anomaly detection
   - Regular audits

3. **Access Control:**
   - Least privilege principle
   - MFA where possible
   - Regular access reviews

4. **Backups:**
   - Regular backups
   - Test restores
   - Offsite backups

---

## Related Documentation

- **[DISASTER_RECOVERY.md](../03-deployment/DISASTER_RECOVERY.md)** - Disaster recovery procedures
- **[BACKUP_AND_RESTORE.md](../03-deployment/BACKUP_AND_RESTORE.md)** - Backup procedures
- **[TROUBLESHOOTING_FAQ.md](TROUBLESHOOTING_FAQ.md)** - General troubleshooting

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**Last Updated:** 2025-01-20  
**Review Cycle:** Quarterly