> 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/appsec-rules/iac-security/compute/appsec-k8s-27.md).

# Mounting Docker socket daemon in a container is not limited misconfiguration detected in code

## Rule Details

|                        |                                                        |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Cortex AppSec Rule ID  | APPSEC\_K8S\_27                                        |
| Category - Subcategory | Kubernetes - Access Control                            |
| Provider               | OTHER                                                  |
| Severity               | MEDIUM                                                 |
| Framework              | Helm, Kubernetes, Kustomize, Terraform, Terraform Plan |

## Impact

Docker runs through a non-networked UNIX socket. In daemon mode it only allows connections from clients authenticated by a certificate signed by that CA. This socket can be mounted by other containers unless correct permissions are in place. Once mounted, the socket can be used to spin up any container, create new images, or shut down existing containers. To protect the docker socket daemon running in a container, set appropriate SELinux/AppArmor profiles to limit containers mounting this socket.

## How to Fix

*Resource*: Pod / Deployment / DaemonSet / StatefulSet / ReplicaSet / ReplicationController / Job / CronJob

* *Argument*: volumes:hostPath (Optional)

Mounts a file or directory from the host node's filesystem into your Pod.

## If the path is set to /var/lib/docker, the container has access to Docker internals. \[source,go]

apiVersion: v1 kind: Pod metadata: name: spec: volumes: -name: hostPath:

* path: /var/run/docker.sock

***

apiVersion: batch/v1beta1 kind: CronJob metadata: name: spec: schedule: <> jobTemplate: spec: template: spec: volumes: -name: hostPath:

* path: /var/run/docker.sock

***

apiVersion: <> kind: metadata: name: spec: template: spec: volumes: -name: hostPath:

* path: /var/run/docker.sock

***


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/appsec-rules/iac-security/compute/appsec-k8s-27.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.