Adversaries may abuse task scheduling functionality provided by container orchestration tools such as Kubernetes to schedule deployment of containers configured to execute malicious code. Container orchestration jobs run these automated tasks at a specific date and time, similar to cron jobs on a Linux system. Deployments of this type can also be configured to maintain a quantity of containers over time, automating the process of maintaining persistence within a cluster.
In Kubernetes, a CronJob may be used to schedule a Job that runs one or more containers to perform specific tasks.(Citation: Kubernetes Jobs)(Citation: Kubernetes CronJob) An adversary therefore may utilize a CronJob to schedule deployment of a Job that executes malicious code in various nodes within a cluster.(Citation: Threat Matrix for Kubernetes)
View in MITRE ATT&CK®| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR.AA-05.02 | Privileged system access | Mitigates | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job |
Comments
This diagnostic statement protects against Container Orchestration Job through the use of privileged account management and the use of multi-factor authentication.
References
|
| DE.CM-03.03 | Privileged account monitoring | Mitigates | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job |
Comments
This diagnostic statement implements mechanisms and tools to mitigate potential misuse of privileged users and accounts. Continuous monitoring of role and attribute assignments and activity is essential to prevent and detect unauthorized access or misuse.
References
|
| PR.AA-01.01 | Identity and credential management | Mitigates | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job |
Comments
This diagnostic statement protects against Container Orchestration Job through the use of hardened access control policies, secure defaults, password complexity requirements, multifactor authentication requirements, and removal of terminated accounts.
References
|
| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CM-05 | Access Restrictions for Change | mitigates | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job | |
| IA-08 | Identification and Authentication (Non-Organizational Users) | mitigates | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job | |
| IA-02 | Identification and Authentication (Organizational Users) | mitigates | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job | |
| AC-02 | Account Management | mitigates | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job | |
| AC-03 | Access Enforcement | mitigates | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job | |
| AC-05 | Separation of Duties | mitigates | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job | |
| AC-06 | Least Privilege | mitigates | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job |
| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| action.hacking.variety.Abuse of functionality | Abuse of functionality. | related-to | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job |
| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| alerts_for_windows_machines | Alerts for Windows Machines | technique_scores | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job |
Comments
This control can detect when commands associated with this technique are executed.
References
|
| defender_for_containers | Microsoft Defender for Containers | technique_scores | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job |
Comments
This control can detect when containers are created.
References
|
| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| binary_authorization | Binary Authorization | technique_scores | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job |
Comments
Each image has a signer digitally sign using a private key. At deploy time, the enforcer uses the attester's public key to verify the signature in the attestation.
References
|
| google_kubernetes_engine | Google Kubernetes Engine | technique_scores | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job |
Comments
GKE provides the ability to audit against a set of recommended benchmark [Center for Internet Security (CIS)]. This control may avoid privileged containers and running containers as root.
References
|
| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aws_config | AWS Config | technique_scores | T1053.007 | Container Orchestration Job |
Comments
The "eks-endpoint-no-public-access" managed rule can identify whether Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (Amazon EKS) endpoints are misconfigured to allow public endpoint access, which should be fixed in order to prevent malicious external access to the Kubernetes API server, including malicious attempts to create or modify orchestration jobs. It is run periodically and only provides partial coverage because it is specific to public access, resulting in an overall score of Partial.
References
|