In this lesson,
we're going to explore container exploits and attacks,
focusing on runtime attacks, container escapes,
and tools like Kube-Hunter and Docker Bench
to find and fix these issues.
Containers are great for deploying applications,
but they also bring new security challenges
that we need to understand and handle.
First, let's talk about workload runtime attacks.
These attacks target your application
while it's running inside a container.
For example, an attacker might find a vulnerability
in your containerized app and use it to run malicious code.
This could let them access customer financial data
or change how the app works.
Imagine a containerized web app with the SQL injection flaw.
An attacker could use this flaw to get into the database,
steal credit card numbers, or even change the app.
During a penetration test,
you'd look for these kinds of vulnerabilities
by doing tests like dynamic analysis and fuzz testing.
Next, let's talk about container escapes.
Containers are supposed to keep applications separate
from the whole system,
but sometimes attackers can break out of the container
and get to the host system or other containers.
This is like a prisoner escaping their cell
and getting access to the whole prison.
This can happen due to flaws in the container software
or just bad configurations.
Let's think about a scenario
where an attacker gets into a container
with too many permissions.
They might use a flaw in Docker or Kubernetes
to escape the container
and run commands on the whole system.
From there, they could take over other containers
or access sensitive data.
As pen testers,
we need to find configurations
that could allow these escapes,
like container running as the root
or outdated container software.
To find and fix these issues,
we use tools like Kube-Hunter and Docker Bench.
Kube-Hunter looks for security problems
in Kubernetes clusters
like a security guard checking for open doors
and weak spots.
Kubernetes is a system
for managing containerized applications,
so you can kind of think of a Kubernetes cluster
as a collection of computers working together
to run your applications.
Kube-Hunter scans your clusters
for issues like bad configurations, open ports,
and vulnerable services.
For example, running Kube-Hunter
might show you an exposed etcd database
or a misconfigured Kubernetes dashboard.
Fixing these issues
helps make your Kubernetes environment more secure.
Docker Bench is another tool that checks your Docker setup
against best practices for securing Docker containers.
It's pretty much like a checklist
to make sure that your Docker environment is secure.
You may encounter a scenario
where you're running a Docker Bench
and find problems like containers running as root,
unnecessary open ports,
or even the Docker daemon itself being open to the internet.
By following Docker Bench's recommendations,
you can fix these issues
and make your containerized apps more secure.
Consider a case where Docker Bench finds
that your containers are running with the --privileged flag,
giving them full access to the host system.
As a penetration tester,
you would show how an attacker could use this
to escape the container and take over the host.
Pointing out these risks can help push for better,
more secure container setups.
Another important point is the principle of least privilege.
Containers should only have permissions
that they need to do their job.
Running containers as root
or with too many permissions makes it easy
for attackers to cause damage.
Pentesters should always stress the need
to run containers with minimum necessary privileges.
So, remember.
Attacker exploits and attacks like runtime attacks
and container escapes are a serious security concerns.
By understanding these risks
and using tools like Kube-Hunter and Docker bench,
you can find and fix vulnerabilities
in your container setups.
Effective pentesting
means checking container configurations,
showing how bad setups can be exploited,
and making sure containers are secure to prevent attacks.