> 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/unusual-exec-into-a-kubernetes-pod.md).
# Unusual exec into a Kubernetes Pod
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 5 Days |
| Required Data | Requires one of the following data sources:
AWS Audit Log OR Azure Audit Log OR Gcp Audit Log OR Kubernetes Audit Logs
|
| Detection Modules | Cloud |
| Detector Tags | Kubernetes - API |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Container Administration Command (T1609) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
An identity initiated a shell session within a Kubernetes pod using the exec command. The command allows an identity to establish a temporary shell session and execute commands in the pod. This may indicate an attacker attempting to gain an interactive shell, which will allow access to the pod's data.
### Attacker's Goals
* Execute commands within the Kubernetes Pod.
* Access any resource the Kubernetes Pod has access to.
### Investigative actions
* Check the identity's role designation in the organization.
* Inspect for any additional suspicious activities inside the Kubernetes Pod.
### Variations
Failed exec attempt into a Kubernetes Pod
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Container Administration Command (T1609) |
| Severity | Informational |
**Description**
An identity initiated a shell session within a Kubernetes pod using the exec command. The command allows an identity to establish a temporary shell session and execute commands in the pod. This may indicate an attacker attempting to gain an interactive shell, which will allow access to the pod's data.
**Attacker's Goals**
* Execute commands within the Kubernetes Pod.
* Access any resource the Kubernetes Pod has access to.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the identity's role designation in the organization.
* Inspect for any additional suspicious activities inside the Kubernetes Pod.
First time execution into Kubernetes Pod at the cluster-level
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Container Administration Command (T1609) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
An identity initiated a shell session within a Kubernetes pod using the exec command. The command allows an identity to establish a temporary shell session and execute commands in the pod. This may indicate an attacker attempting to gain an interactive shell, which will allow access to the pod's data.
**Attacker's Goals**
* Execute commands within the Kubernetes Pod.
* Access any resource the Kubernetes Pod has access to.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the identity's role designation in the organization.
* Inspect for any additional suspicious activities inside the Kubernetes Pod.
Identity executed into Kubernetes Pod for the first time
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Container Administration Command (T1609) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
An identity initiated a shell session within a Kubernetes pod using the exec command. The command allows an identity to establish a temporary shell session and execute commands in the pod. This may indicate an attacker attempting to gain an interactive shell, which will allow access to the pod's data.
**Attacker's Goals**
* Execute commands within the Kubernetes Pod.
* Access any resource the Kubernetes Pod has access to.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the identity's role designation in the organization.
* Inspect for any additional suspicious activities inside the Kubernetes Pod.
Identity executed into a Kubernetes namespace for the first time
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Container Administration Command (T1609) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
An identity initiated a shell session within a Kubernetes pod using the exec command. The command allows an identity to establish a temporary shell session and execute commands in the pod. This may indicate an attacker attempting to gain an interactive shell, which will allow access to the pod's data.
**Attacker's Goals**
* Execute commands within the Kubernetes Pod.
* Access any resource the Kubernetes Pod has access to.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the identity's role designation in the organization.
* Inspect for any additional suspicious activities inside the Kubernetes Pod.
Identity executed into a Kubernetes Pod for the first time
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Container Administration Command (T1609) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
An identity initiated a shell session within a Kubernetes pod using the exec command. The command allows an identity to establish a temporary shell session and execute commands in the pod. This may indicate an attacker attempting to gain an interactive shell, which will allow access to the pod's data.
**Attacker's Goals**
* Execute commands within the Kubernetes Pod.
* Access any resource the Kubernetes Pod has access to.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the identity's role designation in the organization.
* Inspect for any additional suspicious activities inside the Kubernetes Pod.
---
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