Serverless Security: Functions u0026 Event Triggers Quiz Quiz

Assess your understanding of serverless security by exploring key principles around functions, event triggers, and potential risks. Improve your awareness of vulnerabilities, proper configurations, and best practices for protecting serverless environments.

1. Function Permissions

   Which principle ensures that a serverless function has only the permissions it needs to perform its task, reducing potential damage if compromised?

   1. Role Aggregation
   2. Principle of Least Privilege
   3. Event Escalation
   4. Superuser Policy

   Explanation: The principle of least privilege restricts functions to the minimum permissions necessary, minimizing risks if credentials are exposed or functions are exploited. Role Aggregation refers to combining roles, which could lead to excessive access. Superuser Policy is about granting administrative access, which increases security risks. Event Escalation is not a recognized security principle for permissions.

2. Event Trigger Risks

   A serverless function is triggered by file uploads to cloud storage; which vulnerability could arise if file content is not properly validated?

   1. Timeout Error
   2. Malicious File Execution
   3. Input Misplacement
   4. Resource Deallocation

   Explanation: If file contents are not validated, attackers may upload files that exploit vulnerabilities or cause unwanted code execution, leading to malicious file execution risks. Timeout error is not specifically about validation and usually relates to execution limits. Input misplacement is not a recognized security issue in this context. Resource deallocation concern is unrelated to file validation on event triggers.

3. Environment Variable Security

   Why is it important to securely manage environment variables in serverless functions that process sensitive data like API keys?

   1. They help accelerate function performance
   2. They prevent function timeouts
   3. They enable automatic error corrections
   4. They may expose secrets if improperly handled

   Explanation: Environment variables often store secrets, and improper handling—such as logging them or exposing them in errors—can disclose sensitive information. Accelerating performance is not their primary security concern. They do not prevent timeouts, nor do they enable error correction; these distractors misrepresent the purpose and risks related to environment variables.

4. Event Source Filtering

   Suppose a function responds to HTTP triggers; what security measure ensures only legitimate events invoke the function?

   1. Load balancing
   2. Variable obfuscation
   3. Resource tagging
   4. Input validation and authentication

   Explanation: Implementing input validation and authentication on HTTP triggers verifies the legitimacy of incoming requests, shielding the function from unauthorized or malicious invocations. Load balancing distributes traffic and is not a direct security control. Resource tagging helps in organization, not security. Variable obfuscation makes code harder to read but does not filter events.

5. Function Timeout Risks

   What could happen if a serverless function processing untrusted events does not have an adequate timeout or resource limit set?

   1. It guarantees data consistency
   2. It will automatically fix all security vulnerabilities
   3. It could be exploited for Denial of Service attacks
   4. It eliminates all permission issues

   Explanation: Without adequate timeouts or resource limits, attackers can trigger functions with events that cause resource exhaustion, potentially leading to Denial of Service. Automatically fixing vulnerabilities or guaranteeing data consistency are not outcomes of lacking limits, and permission issues relate to access control not execution limits. These distractors do not address the actual risk.