Cloud providers virtualize resource pools and allocate them to multiple customers on shared hardware. This requires strong isolation and hardening.

• Hypervisor hardening
• Patching and updating the hypervisor
• Monitoring and logging hypervisor activity
• Host OS patching
• Instance isolation
• Logical isolation and sandbox testing
• Prevention of data leakage and inter-VM attacks

A VM escape occurs when a process running inside a virtual machine interacts directly with the host OS or hypervisor.

• Patch VMs and VM software regularly
• Install only necessary software
• Use trusted applications only
• Use strong passwords and access controls
• Restrict VM access
• Monitor for guest escape attempts and attacks

The goal is to preserve separation between workloads, prevent privilege escalation, and protect the underlying host and hypervisor from compromise.