Securing Kubernetes environments is a continuous task, but the journey is fraught with challenges, particularly when addressing misconfigurations. This blog post explores the nuances of securing Kubernetes without disrupting applications, exploring the challenges, and proposing strategies for effective resolution.

A guest post by James Berthoty the founder of Latio Tech. The shift to cloud has meant an explosion in cloud security-related acronyms – so many that it can be difficult to know what you currently have versus what’s missing or available. First we bought CSPMs (Cloud Security Posture Management), then CWPPs (Cloud Workload Protection Platforms), then CNAPPs (Cloud Native Application Protection Platform), then CDRs (Cloud Detection Response), and now KDRs (Kubernetes Detection Response).

Seccomp, short for Secure Computing Mode, is a noteworthy tool offered by the Linux kernel. It is a powerful mechanism to restrict or log the system calls that a process makes. Operating within the kernel, seccomp allows administrators and developers to define fine-grained policies for system call execution, enhancing the overall security posture of applications and the underlying system.

A contributor to the liblzma library (a compression library that is used by the OpenSSH project, among many others) submitted malicious code that included an obfuscated backdoor. Since the maintainers had no reason to suspect foul play, they accepted and merged the contribution. The malicious code made it into the compression library release, and later on to the OpenSSH server, which relies on the library in question.

On March 29, 2024, Red Hat disclosed CVE-2024-3094 (a.k.a XZ vulnerability) scoring a critical CVSS rating of 10. Stemming from a supply chain compromise it affects the latest iterations of XZ tools and libraries. The CVE was identified by a software engineer following the discovery of performance issues in SSH connections. This led to the exposure of a major supply chain attack where a compromised library was inserted into sshd and exploited during the authentication process.

Kubernetes 1.30 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the widely used orchestration platform, particularly regarding security enhancements and developer experience. This post will explore updates encompassing secrets management, node and cluster management, data security and additional security measures. Each of these improvements strengthens the Kubernetes framework, making it a more secure and reliable platform for enterprises and developers.

In the dynamic landscape of cloud-native cybersecurity, image scanning has become essential to ensuring the safety and integrity of cloud workloads and digital assets. Historically, image scanners focus on finding vulnerabilities (CVEs) that may be the cause of exploits in Kubernetes workloads. However, there’s a significant gap that often goes unnoticed. This gap is the lack of comprehensive scanning for malware, viruses, crypto miners, and other malicious threats.

In the ever-changing world of Kubernetes security, it’s crucial to stay ahead of threats while maintaining operational efficiency. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our latest feature: Auto-Generated Kubernetes Network Policy, based on application runtime behavior, powered by eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Filter) technology. With this addition, organizations can easily apply native Kubernetes network rules without worrying about disrupting their production systems.

In the dynamic world of Kubernetes, container orchestration is just the tip of the iceberg. In this sophisticated ecosystem, you must prioritize security efficiency. Kubernetes’ robust, open-source platform has been revolutionary in automating the deployment, scaling, and management of application containers. Yet, such capability comes with significant responsibility, particularly in network security. Here, the role of network policies becomes crucial.

Struggling to manage vulnerabilities in your Kubernetes environment? You’re not alone. Traditional vulnerability management tools often leave security teams feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to focus their efforts. Traditional scanners churn out an endless stream of alerts, many irrelevant, making it difficult to prioritize and address the most critical issues. Sound familiar?