Replicating Accounts from CyberArk to Azure Key Vault

A Comprehensive Guide to Unencrypted Credential Synchronization

Highlights

Configuration: Detailed steps to set up CyberArk for communicating with Azure Key Vault.
Synchronization: Using plugins and manual settings to replicate credentials automatically.
Security Considerations: Understanding the risks of storing unencrypted credentials despite automation.

Introduction

Replicating accounts in CyberArk to Azure Key Vault allows organizations to centralize their secrets management across both platforms, particularly in hybrid environments. While Azure Key Vault is known for its robust encryption mechanisms, there are configurations that enable the storage of credentials in unencrypted (plain text) format. This guide provides step-by-step instructions and critical considerations for replicating accounts—including synchronizing or pushing credentials—from CyberArk to Azure Key Vault.

The overview provided here leverages an integration that relies on the CyberArk CPM (Central Policy Manager) plugin as well as potential configurations of CyberArk Secrets Hub. The goal is to achieve efficient automation of account replication while deliberately storing unencrypted credentials, even though this technically bypasses one of the main security features of Azure Key Vault. Given the sensitive nature of credentials and the potential risks associated with unencrypted storage, it is crucial to understand all prerequisites, configuration changes, and implications before implementing any such solution.

Prerequisites and Preparations

Essential Account and Environment Setup

To successfully replicate accounts from CyberArk to Azure Key Vault, ensure that your environment meets the following prerequisites:

CyberArk Privileged Access Management (PAM) must be properly deployed and accessible.
An operational instance of Azure Key Vault is required, with the necessary configurations enabled.
An appropriately privileged Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) or Active Directory (AD) account should be available for authorization.
The CyberArk CPM - TPC or Secrets Hub should be installed, along with its synchronization plugins.
The Azure Az PowerShell module should be installed and updated to ensure smooth interactions.

Planning for Unencrypted Credential Storage

While Azure Key Vault encrypts all secrets by default, storing unencrypted credentials is feasible by deliberately configuring the secret content type or intentionally storing plain text values. Note that this configuration significantly decreases security. If storing credentials unencrypted is your specific requirement for integration or migration reasons, it is crucial to ensure that compensating controls are in place, such as restricted access, enhanced monitoring, and further isolation of critical systems.

Consider thoroughly evaluating the risks involved with unencrypted storage in Azure Key Vault. It is strongly recommended to limit the exposure of these credentials and to document the process comprehensively.

Configuration Process

Step-by-Step Plugin Setup

1. CyberArk Platform Configuration

Begin by configuring your CyberArk environment:

From the CyberArk Password Vault Web Access (PVWA), log in as an administrator.
Navigate to Administration → Platform Management and select the platform where the accounts reside.
Edit the platform settings to enable the "Update-AzKV" usage. This process involves adding a usage that instructs CyberArk to push account credentials to Azure Key Vault.
Set SearchForUsages to "Yes", ensuring that subsequent password changes in CyberArk trigger updates in Azure Key Vault.

This configuration acts as the backbone for synchronizing account credentials. A key aspect of this setup involves associating the specific usage element with the target Key Vault information.

2. Associating Account Information

For each account that must be replicated:

Open the account details in CyberArk.
Select the Update-AzKV option.
Enter additional usage details such as the Key Vault Name and the desired Secret Name for the credential in Azure Key Vault.
Ensure the logon account (configured via Azure AD or AD credentials) has permissions to update the secret in Azure Key Vault. This guarantees that when the credentials get pushed, the Azure environment is able to accept and reflect the updates properly.

By specifying the Key Vault’s name and assigning a fixed Secret Name, automatic association between CyberArk and Azure Key Vault is achieved. The logon credentials serve as the bridge that authorizes the update.

3. Enabling Unencrypted Storage

Normally, when secrets are stored in Azure Key Vault, they are encrypted at rest. However, to store the credentials as unencrypted (plain text), you must manually configure the secret’s metadata:

During the update process, modify the secret’s content type to reflect plain text storage. This may involve a manual adjustment via the Azure portal or through scripting with PowerShell.
Be aware that while the secret becomes plain text, the physical data at rest might still be encrypted by the service; the primary concern is that the credentials are treated as unencrypted by applications accessing the secret.
Document this configuration change, noting that the explicit intention is to store the credentials without additional transformation or encryption.

4. Testing the Setup

Before rolling out to production, test the replication using a non-critical account. This will ensure:

The synchronization mechanism triggers correctly upon a password change in CyberArk.
The provided Azure AD or AD account is verified to have the necessary permissions to update secrets.
The secret is created or updated in Azure Key Vault with the expected name and unencrypted content marker.

A successful test is critical to confirm that the entire synchronization pipeline is functioning correctly. It also provides an opportunity to check for any discrepancies that might arise from potential misconfiguration.

Alternative Methods and Tools

Using CyberArk Secrets Hub

Beyond the CPM plugin method, another approach involves the CyberArk Secrets Hub. Here's how you can utilize it:

Register the Secrets Hub as a client application in Azure AD, thereby enabling it to communicate securely with Azure Key Vault.
Configure Secrets Hub to scan and sync secrets from CyberArk Privilege Cloud to your Azure Key Vault instance. This method is particularly useful in environments where multiple vaults or endpoints require synchronization.
Adjust synchronization rules to accommodate unencrypted storage requirements. Similar to the direct CyberArk CPM method, this might involve setting the secret’s content type in a way that it signifies plain text entries.

Disaster Recovery Vault Approach

For organizations looking to undertake a comprehensive migration or backup process:

Implement an additional DR vault instance in Azure, replicating the credentials from CyberArk.
Re-key the DR vault using Azure Key Store, ensuring that while the replication process is automated, the profile settings favor unencrypted retrieval when necessary.
Decommission the older vault in a controlled manner once the new DR system in Azure is fully operational. This method typically requires more effort but offers a robust fallback in case of failure.

Data Flow and Integration Table

The following table outlines the key aspects of the integration process between CyberArk and Azure Key Vault:

Stage	Description	Key Actions
CyberArk Platform Config	Enable platform setup and usage configuration.	Enable "Update-AzKV" usage; set SearchForUsages to "Yes".
Account Association	Link target account details with Azure Key Vault.	Enter Key Vault Name, Secret Name, and associate authorized logon credentials.
Unencrypted Storage Setup	Adjust secret metadata to specify plain text handling.	Manually modify secret content type and enforce plain text markers.
Testing & Verification	Validate the synchronization process using test accounts.	Trigger password updates and verify records in Azure Key Vault.

Security Considerations

Evaluating Risks

While replicating accounts and storing credentials in an unencrypted fashion might be required for technical or migration reasons, it presents several security risks:

Exposure to Unauthorized Access: Storing plain text credentials in any environment increases the risk of data leakage if the secret is not adequately protected by other means (access controls, network isolation, etc.).
Compliance Implications: Many industries have stringent data protection requirements. Storing unencrypted credentials may violate regulatory standards.
Operational Risks: Human error in managing unencrypted data may lead to inadvertent exposure or compromise during system maintenance or migration events.

Mitigation Measures

Should you choose to proceed with unencrypted storage, implement these mitigation strategies:

Restrict access to the Azure Key Vault instance strictly using role-based access control (RBAC).
Monitor access logs and use alerting on anomalous activities.
Employ network-level security measures, such as firewalls and virtual network service endpoints.
Regularly audit the unencrypted secrets to ensure no unauthorized modifications occur.

Automation and Scripted Approaches

PowerShell Integration

Automation can simplify the replication process. Administrators can use the Azure Az PowerShell module in combination with CyberArk’s capabilities to push credentials to Azure Key Vault. A sample PowerShell script could:

Extract credentials from CyberArk through the defined "Update-AzKV" parameters.
Invoke Azure Key Vault cmdlets to programmatically update the secret with the required unencrypted content type.
Log operations and report any synchronization errors for further action.

Although precise scripts can vary by implementation, such automation minimizes manual errors and ensures that every password change in CyberArk leads to a corresponding update in Azure Key Vault.

Below is a conceptual snippet of how such a script might look:


  # Retrieve account details from CyberArk (example command)
  $account = Get-CyberArkAccount -AccountName "targetAccount"
  
  # Prepare secret update in Azure Key Vault
  $secretValue = $account.Password
  # Optionally mark the secret content type as plain text
  $contentType = "text/plain"
  
  # Update the Azure Key Vault secret using Az PowerShell module
  Set-AzKeyVaultSecret -VaultName "YourKeyVaultName" -Name "YourSecretName" -SecretValue (ConvertTo-SecureString $secretValue -AsPlainText -Force) -ContentType $contentType
  
  # Log the update operation
  Write-Output "Secret successfully updated in Azure Key Vault"

This script outlines a basic flow, and further customizations may be necessary based on your environment and specific security guidelines.

Implementation Best Practices

Change Management and Documentation

Deploying a setup that replicates critical account credentials must be accompanied by thorough documentation:

Document every configuration change in both CyberArk and Azure Key Vault.
Maintain version-controlled scripts and change logs.
Ensure the involvement of security and compliance teams to review and approve any deviation from standard encryption practices.

Monitoring and Auditing

Continuous monitoring and regular audits are essential parts of maintaining a secure environment, especially when utilizing unencrypted storage.

Log and monitor every synchronization event between CyberArk and Azure Key Vault.
Implement scheduled audits to verify that no unauthorized changes or access occur.
Integrate with SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems to correlate activities and generate alerts.

Conclusion

In summary, replicating accounts from CyberArk to Azure Key Vault involves a carefully orchestrated process that leverages CyberArk’s integration capabilities using either the CPM plugin, Secrets Hub, or alternative methods such as a DR vault approach. Despite Azure Key Vault normally encrypting data at rest, you can configure it to handle credentials in an unencrypted (plain text) manner by modifying secret settings and content types. This manual override, however, carries inherent risks and must be managed through robust access controls, detailed documentation, and enhanced monitoring.

The guide above provides a structured pathway from the prerequisites and configuration stages in CyberArk, through account association and plugin setup, to automation using PowerShell. It emphasizes key considerations and potential pitfalls, ensuring that you are well-prepared to execute this process in a controlled environment. Organizations should weigh the security implications heavily and ensure that when unencrypted credentials are stored, compensating security measures are both documented and enforced.