The kubectl command-line tool is powerful for managing Kubernetes clusters but can also pose security risks if misused. Certain commands can expose sensitive information, modify cluster configurations, or disrupt critical services. Some high-risk kubectl commands include:
kubectl get cm -n kube-system: This command retrieves all ConfigMaps in the kube-system namespace, including critical configurations like kubelet and kubeadm, potentially exposing sensitive information.
kubectl cluster-info: Provides detailed cluster information, which can be used by unauthorized users to exploit vulnerabilities if accessed improperly.
kubectl config <verb>: Commands such as kubectl config view provide insight into cluster configurations, while kubectl config set-context and kubectl config use-context can modify contexts, potentially leading to unauthorized changes in the cluster.
kubectl delete <resource>: This command can delete Kubernetes objects, which can cause service disruption or data loss if misused.
To mitigate the risks associated with these commands, it’s essential to implement additional security measures beyond Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
