Kubernetes Admission Controller Modification

Detects when a modification (create, update or replace) action is taken that affects mutating or validating webhook configurations, as they can be used by an adversary to achieve persistence or exfiltrate access credentials.

title: Kubernetes Admission Controller Modification
id: eed82177-38f5-4299-8a76-098d50d225ab
related:
    - id: 6ad91e31-53df-4826-bd27-0166171c8040
      type: similar
status: test
description: |
    Detects when a modification (create, update or replace) action is taken that affects mutating or validating webhook configurations, as they can be used by an adversary to achieve persistence or exfiltrate access credentials.
references:
    - https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/config-api/apiserver-audit.v1/
    - https://security.padok.fr/en/blog/kubernetes-webhook-attackers
author: kelnage
date: 2024-07-11
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.initial-access
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1078
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.t1552
    - attack.t1552.007
logsource:
    product: kubernetes
    service: audit
detection:
    selection:
        objectRef.apiGroup: 'admissionregistration.k8s.io'
        objectRef.resource:
            - 'mutatingwebhookconfigurations'
            - 'validatingwebhookconfigurations'
        verb:
            - 'create'
            - 'delete'
            - 'patch'
            - 'replace'
            - 'update'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Modifying the Kubernetes Admission Controller may need to be done by a system administrator.
    - Automated processes may need to take these actions and may need to be filtered.
level: medium

• T1078Valid Accounts
• T1552Unsecured Credentials
• T1552.007Container API

• https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/config-api/apiserver-audit.v1/↗
• https://security.padok.fr/en/blog/kubernetes-webhook-attackers↗