> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/a-kubernetes-node-service-account-activity-from-external-ip.md).

# A Kubernetes node service account activity from external IP

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                                                            |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                                                          |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                                                          |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                                                                                               |
| Deduplication Period | 5 Days                                                                                                                           |
| Required Data        | <p>Requires one of the following data sources:<br>AWS Audit Log OR Azure Audit Log OR Gcp Audit Log OR Kubernetes Audit Logs</p> |
| Detection Modules    | Cloud                                                                                                                            |
| Detector Tags        | Kubernetes - API                                                                                                                 |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Initial Access (TA0001)                                                                                                          |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Valid Accounts: Default Accounts (T1078.001)                                                                                     |
| Severity             | Informational                                                                                                                    |

### Description

A Kubernetes node service account was seen operating from an external IP.

### Attacker's Goals

Gain access to the Kubernetes cluster.

### Investigative actions

* Determine which resources were accessed by the node service account.
* Investigate other actions made by the node service account.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>A Kubernetes node service account was used outside the cluster</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                        |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Initial Access (TA0001)                      |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts: Default Accounts (T1078.001) |
| Severity          | Low                                          |

**Description**

A Kubernetes node service account was seen operating from an external IP.

**Attacker's Goals**

Gain access to the Kubernetes cluster.

**Investigative actions**

* Determine which resources were accessed by the node service account.
* Investigate other actions made by the node service account.

</details>


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