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.