A brief overview of Kubernetes
Kubernetes automates container deployment, scaling, and management across distributed systems, making it the leading orchestration platform for modern applications. Also known as K8s, it provides an efficient framework that eliminates manual container management tasks
The platform's dynamic ecosystem supports extensive container tools and benefits from a vast community of users and contributors, fostering innovation and offering a rich set of features to enhance container management further.contributors. This foundation enables organizations to streamline development processes while maintaining resilient, scalable infrastructure through container orchestration.
The importance of security
Kubernetes environments face unique security risks due to their complexity and rapid deployment cycles. Even robust architectures can develop vulnerabilities through configuration oversights and mismanaged access controls.
DevSecOps professionals must proactively address these challenges. This includes implementing security measures across containerized applications and underlying infrastructure to prevent potential attacks.
Integrate vulnerability scanning into CI/CD pipelines to ensure that every build is automatically scanned for vulnerabilities. This continuous scanning approach aligns with the DevSecOps philosophy of integrating security into the development process, enabling immediate feedback and remediation.
Learn more about Kubernetes Vulnerability Scanning ->
Network security, access control, and data encryption could all be targeted by threat actors. And the open-source nature of Kubernetes means that it is continually being updated and improved, which introduces new features and functionalities—as well as new vulnerabilities. Let’s take a closer look at the most pressing K8 security challenges.
Kubernetes Security Best Practices [Cheat Sheet]
This 6 page cheat sheet goes beyond the basics and covers security best practices for Kubernetes pods, components, and network security.
The Top 7 Kubernetes security threats
Data indicates that two-thirds of organizations have delayed or slowed down deployments due to security concerns associated with Kubernetes. Understanding key threats enables faster, safer deployments.
1. Vulnerable container images
Vulnerable container images serve as attack entry points These issues have led to organizations experiencing delays or slowdowns in deployment, with many facing adverse impacts such as revenue loss and fines that expose applications to exploits, malware, and unauthorized access. These security flaws represent the primary concern in modern Kubernetes environments.
Organizations face real business consequences from image vulnerabilities. Deployment delays, revenue losses, and regulatory fines result when unpatched images reach production systems.
It should also be noted that open-source software has raised significant concerns for software supply chain security. That's why it's best practice. That's why it's best practice to scan container images for vulnerabilities and ensure they are secured before deployment to maintain the integrity of the software supply chain and to avoid the substantial repercussions of security and compliance incidents.
Wiz investigated the number of cloud environments that utilize managed Kubernetes clusters and found that approximately 40% of environments have at least one pod with a cleartext long-term cloud key that is stored in its container image and associated with an IAM/AAD cloud identity. As with lateral movement risks in the VPC, these numbers underscore the exploitability of many organizations’ cloud environments.
2. Kubernetes API vulnerabilities
The Kubernetes API becomes a critical attack vector when left inadequately secured, providing attackers with direct access to cluster resources and sensitive data.
Unprotected API endpoints enable multiple attack types:
Injection attacks that manipulate cluster operations
Denial of service attacks that disrupt business operations
Unauthorized access to sensitive workloads and data
Authentication and authorization mechanisms prevent these attacks by validating every API request and limiting access based on user roles and permissions.
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3. Cluster misconfiguration
Cluster misconfiguration is a prevalent issue where the settings and arrangements of the clusters are not optimal, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities. It’s critical to meticulously configure the clusters, ensuring that network policies are correctly implemented and access controls are robust. Otherwise, you open yourself up to unauthorized access and potential security breaches. Regular audits can help you identify and fix misconfigurations promptly.
There are a number of open-source security tools that organizations can leverage in areas like compliance and configuration scanners, runtime security and threat detection, policy management and enforement, network security, exploit detection.
Check out our post on the top 11 open-source Kubernetes security tools
4. Unrestricted network access
Implementing network policies that restrict access to sensitive areas of your network can go a long way in securing your environment. Beyond protecting against data breaches, restricting network access helps prevent denial of service (DoS) and man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, which can disrupt business operations and compromise data integrity. By outlining clear boundaries through network policies, you can protect critical infrastructure from intrusions, ensuring business continuity and safeguarding sensitive data.
Kubernetes Security for Dummies [Ultimate Guide]
Whether you're hands-on with clusters or shaping your org’s container security strategy, this guide breaks down what you need to know—from fundamentals to best practices.
5. Using default Kubernetes settings
Using default settings can be a shortcut to deploying clusters, but it comes with risks, including a higher susceptibility to unauthorized access. Reduce risks by altering the default settings to more secure configurations, which might involve setting up firewalls, turning off unnecessary services, and ensuring encryption is enabled where necessary.
This approach not only fortifies the security posture but also tailors the environment to the specific needs and demands of your organization.
6. RBAC and permissions
Role-based access control (RBAC) is vital in managing permissions and ensuring that only authorized individuals can access certain information. Implementing strict RBAC policies can help combat risks associated with unauthorized access. The risks posed by improper permissions management include potential data breaches, where sensitive information can be accessed or leaked by individuals who shouldn't have access to it. Unfortunately, improper permissions management can also facilitate internal fraud and data manipulation, undermining the integrity and reliability of the system. That’'s why a well-implemented RBAC system is an essential part of safeguarding data and maintaining trust in your systems.
7. Kubernetes Secrets
Kubernetes Secrets are objects designed to securely store and handle confidential data, such as passwords, OAuth tokens, and SSH keys. Because it’'s designed for sensitive data, a Secret can lead to security breaches. To keep data safe, encrypt Secrets at rest and limit access to Secrets to only those components that require it. The challenge of secrets management is compounded by the fact that 61% of organizations have secrets exposed in public repositories, creating additional attack vectors for threat actors.
How to overcome Kubernetes security challenges
Effective Kubernetes security requires coordinated protection across five critical domains that cover your entire container ecosystem. Focus your security efforts on these interconnected areas:
Workload security: Safeguard the applications running on Kubernetes from potential threats by ensuring the code is secure and the runtime environment is configured correctly to prevent unauthorized access and other security breaches.
Workload configuration: Correctly configuring workloads is a detailed task that demands a deep understanding of Kubernetes architecture and involves setting the correct parameters to ensure workloads are secure and operate optimally. We have you covered: Our Migration Guide from Pod Security Policies to Pod Security Standards explains the nuances of secure workload configuration.
Cluster configuration: A secure cluster configuration is pivotal in safeguarding your Kubernetes environment. Take steps like establishing stringent access controls to restrict unauthorized access to sensitive data, and implement robust logging and monitoring systems to detect and respond to any security incidents promptly. Additionally, it’'s vital to secure the API server through mechanisms such as role-based access control (RBAC) and mutual TLS authentication to create a fortified defense against unauthorized data access and other potential cyber threats.
Kubernetes networking: Set up network policies that dictate the kind of traffic allowed between pods, helping to isolate workloads and reduce the risk of malicious attacks. This is critical because, as the NSA points out, by default no network policies are applied to pods or namespaces. Tools like Calico or Cilium can enhance network security and performance by providing features such as API-driven control, load balancing, and encryption to safeguard data transmissions.
Infrastructure security: Safeguarding the physical and virtual resources that support the Kubernetes environment can be a huge undertaking. For valuable insights into how it’s done, look to our Enhancements in Kubernetes security with user namespaces guide.
Kubernetes security by phase
Lifecycle-based security prevents vulnerabilities from reaching production by implementing controls at each development stage. Different phases require specific security measures to address emerging risks:
Development/design phase: In the development and design phase, the foundational structures and functionalities of an application are crafted. Secure coding practices prevent vulnerabilities such as code injections and give you confidence that the application architecture is designed with security as a focal point.
Build phase: Now the application starts taking shape. Wiz's approach to removing risks includes a roadmap to building secure applications, helping to identify and mitigate risks early in the development lifecycle.
Deployment phase: During deployment, implementing robust authentication and authorization mechanisms and ensuring secure communications go a long way toward peace of mind. Learn how Wiz Guardrails can help you with security policy checks at deployment time.
Runtime phase: The runtime phase is when the application is live. It’s a critical phase where continuous monitoring is the only way to promptly detect and mitigate potential threats. In case of a breach, understanding the necessary steps to take is critical. Our Intro to Forensics in the Cloud offers insights on post-breach actions, helping you navigate the complex landscape of cloud forensics.
Streamline your container and Kubernetes security solutions
As we’ve seen, cloud security is dynamic and complex enough to overwhelm many DevSecOps teams. That’s where Wiz comes in. Wiz offers comprehensive solutions tailored to address the multifaceted security concerns in container and Kubernetes deployments. Our holistic approach can fortify every aspect of your Kubernetes environment.
Wiz provides unified Kubernetes security through a single platform that addresses the seven critical threats outlined in this article. We detect vulnerable images, secure API access, and prevent misconfigurations before they reach production.
Agentless scanning identifies security issues across your entire Kubernetes environment and highlights what matters most, so your team can focus on the highest risks With attackers targeting newly deployed clusters in as little as 18 minutes for AKS clusters, immediate security implementation is critical.
Curious how you’re securing Kubernetes today? We’d love to show you how Wiz can help.
