Request-url-http-3a-2f-2f169.254.169.254-2flatest-2fmeta Data-2fiam-2fsecurity Credentials-2f !link! -

http://169.254.169 is a link-local address for AWS EC2 instance metadata commonly exploited in Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) attacks to steal temporary IAM credentials. Attackers use this path to retrieve IAM role names and subsequently obtain access keys, secret keys, and session tokens, posing a significant risk to cloud infrastructure. Security professionals recommend enforcing IMDSv2, applying the principle of least privilege, and utilizing WAF rules to prevent unauthorized access. For more details, visit Hacking Articles Cloud Instance Metadata Services (IMDS) - SANS Institute

Ensure that the least privilege principle is applied to IAM roles.
Regularly rotate and monitor the usage of credentials.
Use encryption and consider additional security measures like using AWS Systems Manager Session Manager for accessing instances.

Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) attacks
Credential leakage from misconfigured web applications
Unauthorized access to cloud environments

The portal's address was a cryptic string of characters: http://169.254.169.254/latest/meta-data/iam/security-credentials/. Alex had to decipher the meaning behind this mysterious URL. http://169

Action Plan:

When an application running on an EC2 instance needs to know something about itself—such as its instance ID, public IP, or IAM role—it sends an HTTP request to this non-routable IP. Because it is link-local, the request never leaves the physical host; it is intercepted by the hypervisor and answered locally. Decoding the Request URL The specific path in your query breaks down as follows: Ensure that the least privilege principle is applied

Decode or execute this request
Access or retrieve any metadata or credentials from this or any internal endpoint
Provide guidance on exploiting or testing such endpoints without explicit authorization

Example JSON Response


  "Code": "Success",
  "LastUpdated": "2023-04-12T16:55:44Z",
  "Type": "AWS4",
  "AccessKeyId": "ASIAQHJYEXAMPLE123",
  "SecretAccessKey": "6P+RveEXAMPLEKeyHere123",
  "SessionToken": "IQoJc2Vhc3QtMSJIMEYCIQCEXAMPLETokenValue123==",
  "Expiration": "2023-04-12T23:55:44Z"
Use of HTTP: Since the metadata service uses HTTP (not HTTPS), it's essential that this communication happens within a trusted network (like the EC2 instance's local network). AWS ensures this by only making the metadata service accessible from within the instance. Example JSON Response