> 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-kubernetes-service-account-file-read.md).

# Unusual Kubernetes service account file read

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                      |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                    |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                    |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                         |
| Deduplication Period | 7 Days                                                     |
| 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             | Informational                                              |

### Description

An unusual process opened a Kubernetes service account file for the first time.

### Attacker's Goals

Utilize the Kubernetes service account files to perform additional actions on the cluster.

### Investigative actions

* Check the exposed Kubernetes service account usage in the cluster.
* Check if any other suspicious activity was performed inside the pod.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Unusual Kubernetes service account file read within a new pod</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                   |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Credential Access (TA0006)                              |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity          | Informational                                           |

**Description**

An unusual process opened a Kubernetes service account file for the first time.

**Attacker's Goals**

Utilize the Kubernetes service account files to perform additional actions on the cluster.

**Investigative actions**

* Check the exposed Kubernetes service account usage in the cluster.
* Check if any other suspicious activity was performed inside the pod.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Kubernetes service account file read</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                   |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Credential Access (TA0006)                              |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity          | Informational                                           |

**Description**

An unusual process opened a Kubernetes service account file for the first time.

**Attacker's Goals**

Utilize the Kubernetes service account files to perform additional actions on the cluster.

**Investigative actions**

* Check the exposed Kubernetes service account usage in the cluster.
* Check if any other suspicious activity was performed inside the pod.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Suspicious Kubernetes service account file read from the projected volume path</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                   |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Credential Access (TA0006)                              |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity          | Medium                                                  |

**Description**

An unusual process opened a Kubernetes service account file for the first time.

**Attacker's Goals**

Utilize the Kubernetes service account files to perform additional actions on the cluster.

**Investigative actions**

* Check the exposed Kubernetes service account usage in the cluster.
* Check if any other suspicious activity was performed inside the pod.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Suspicious Kubernetes service account token read via an interactive shell</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                   |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Credential Access (TA0006)                              |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity          | Medium                                                  |

**Description**

An unusual process opened a Kubernetes service account file for the first time.

**Attacker's Goals**

Utilize the Kubernetes service account files to perform additional actions on the cluster.

**Investigative actions**

* Check the exposed Kubernetes service account usage in the cluster.
* Check if any other suspicious activity was performed inside the pod.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Suspicious Kubernetes service account token read by an unusual process</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                   |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Credential Access (TA0006)                              |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity          | Low                                                     |

**Description**

An unusual process opened the Kubernetes service account token file for the first time.

**Attacker's Goals**

Utilize the Kubernetes service account files to perform additional actions on the cluster.

**Investigative actions**

* Check the exposed Kubernetes service account usage in the cluster.
* Check if any other suspicious activity was performed inside the pod.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Suspicious Kubernetes service account file read by an unusual process</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                   |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Credential Access (TA0006)                              |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity          | Low                                                     |

**Description**

An unusual process opened a Kubernetes service account file for the first time.

**Attacker's Goals**

Utilize the Kubernetes service account files to perform additional actions on the cluster.

**Investigative actions**

* Check the exposed Kubernetes service account usage in the cluster.
* Check if any other suspicious activity was performed inside the pod.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Suspicious Kubernetes service account token read</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                   |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Credential Access (TA0006)                              |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity          | Low                                                     |

**Description**

An unusual process opened the Kubernetes service account token file for the first time.

**Attacker's Goals**

Utilize the Kubernetes service account files to perform additional actions on the cluster.

**Investigative actions**

* Check the exposed Kubernetes service account usage in the cluster.
* Check if any other suspicious activity was performed inside the pod.

</details>


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