Kubernetes Security
Kubernetes cluster security assessment, RBAC review, and CIS Benchmark hardening.
Kubernetes Security
Kubernetes is the backbone of modern cloud-native infrastructure — but a default or poorly configured cluster is a high-value target. RBAC misconfigurations, exposed API servers, insecure etcd endpoints, and overprivileged workloads routinely appear in real-world breach investigations. Intelliroot's Kubernetes Security Assessment delivers a comprehensive review of your cluster security posture, from the control plane and etcd through to workload configurations, network policies, and secret management practices.
Our assessment is aligned to the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark and the NSA/CISA Kubernetes Hardening Guidance. We combine automated tooling (kube-bench, Trivy Operator, Popeye) with deep manual analysis of RBAC bindings, admission controller configurations, and Pod Security Standards enforcement — producing findings that are immediately actionable for your platform engineering and security teams.
Why Kubernetes Security Cannot Be Assumed
RBAC Misconfigurations Are Pervasive
Wildcard permissions, cluster-admin bindings to service accounts, and default service account token automounting are among the most common findings in Kubernetes assessments — each enabling complete cluster compromise.
etcd Holds the Keys to the Kingdom
An exposed or unencrypted etcd endpoint gives an attacker every secret, credential, and configuration in the cluster. etcd security is critical and frequently overlooked in managed Kubernetes deployments.
Misconfigured Workloads Enable Lateral Movement
Privileged pods, hostPath mounts, and shared PID namespaces enable container escapes and lateral movement across nodes. Without Pod Security Standards enforcement, a single compromised workload can own the node.
Cloud-Managed Clusters Are Not Automatically Secure
EKS, GKE, and AKS handle the control plane but leave workload security, RBAC, network policies, and secret management entirely to the operator. Managed does not mean hardened.
What We Assess
Control Plane & etcd Security
- API server authentication and authorisation configuration
- etcd encryption-at-rest and access controls
- Controller manager and scheduler security flags
- Audit logging configuration and coverage
- CIS Kubernetes Benchmark control plane checks
RBAC & Identity
- ClusterRoleBinding and RoleBinding analysis
- Service account token automounting
- Wildcard permission and cluster-admin abuse paths
- Workload identity and IRSA/Workload Identity review
- Admission controller RBAC coverage
Workload & Pod Security
- Pod Security Standards (Baseline/Restricted) enforcement
- Privileged and hostPath mount review
- Container image source and admission policies
- Resource limits and security context configuration
- Admission controller review (OPA/Gatekeeper, Kyverno)
Network & Secret Management
- Network Policy review and gap analysis
- Ingress configuration and TLS enforcement
- Kubernetes Secret encryption and access controls
- External Secrets Operator / Vault integration review
- Service mesh security configuration (if applicable)
Our Assessment Approach
Scoping & Cluster Inventory
Enumerate clusters, namespaces, node pools, and connected cloud services. Define access requirements (read-only kubeconfig or kube-bench agent deployment) and agree on assessment scope and notification protocols.
Automated Benchmark Assessment
Execute kube-bench against all control plane and worker nodes to establish a CIS Kubernetes Benchmark compliance baseline. Run Trivy Operator and Popeye for workload misconfiguration analysis across all namespaces.
RBAC & Access Control Deep Dive
Manually analyse all ClusterRoleBindings, RoleBindings, and service account configurations using rbac-lookup and custom analysis scripts. Identify privilege escalation paths, lateral movement vectors, and least-privilege violations.
Workload, Network & Secret Review
Review Pod Security Standards enforcement, admission controller policies, Network Policy coverage, and Kubernetes Secret handling. Assess secret management integration (Vault, AWS Secrets Manager, External Secrets Operator) and encryption-at-rest status.
Risk-Rated Reporting & CIS Scorecard
Deliver a risk-rated findings report with CVSS scores, attack path narratives, and a CIS Kubernetes Benchmark compliance scorecard. Provide a prioritised hardening roadmap with specific remediation commands and configuration examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deliverables
Executive Summary Report
Cluster security posture summary with risk ratings, critical attack paths, and strategic hardening priorities for CISO and platform leadership.
Technical Findings Report
Detailed findings for every identified misconfiguration and vulnerability — RBAC paths, workload issues, network gaps, and secret handling weaknesses — with CVSS scores and remediation commands.
CIS Kubernetes Benchmark Scorecard
Control-by-control compliance scorecard across all CIS Kubernetes Benchmark sections, with current status, risk rating, and remediation recommendations.
RBAC Attack Path Analysis
Visual and narrative mapping of privilege escalation and lateral movement paths identified in the cluster, with least-privilege remediation recommendations for each binding.
Hardening Roadmap
Prioritised remediation plan with specific kubectl commands, Helm values, and admission policy templates to address identified findings.
Retest & Closure Certificate
Complimentary retest of critical and high severity findings with a signed closure certificate accepted for compliance audits and regulatory submissions.
Request a Security Assessment
Tell us about your environment and security objectives. We'll design a bespoke assessment and deliver a detailed proposal within 48 hours.