> 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/potential-kubelet-impersonation-attempt.md).
# Potential kubelet impersonation attempt
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | 10 Minutes |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH) |
| Detector Tags | Kubernetes - AGENT, Kubernetes Credentials Theft Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
A process accessed both the Kubelet credentials and the Kubernetes CA certificate, indicating an attempt to impersonate the node agent and communicate with the API server.
### Attacker's Goals
Impersonate the node agent to gain control over the cluster.
### Investigative actions
* Look for additional suspicious activities.
* Verify if the exposed credentials were used to access the API server.
* Investigate which operations were used against the Kubernetes cluster with the exposed credentials.
### Variations
Potential kubelet impersonation attempt by an unusual process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A process accessed both the Kubelet credentials and the Kubernetes CA certificate, indicating an attempt to impersonate the node agent and communicate with the API server.
**Attacker's Goals**
Impersonate the node agent to gain control over the cluster.
**Investigative actions**
* Look for additional suspicious activities.
* Verify if the exposed credentials were used to access the API server.
* Investigate which operations were used against the Kubernetes cluster with the exposed credentials.
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