Risks

ConfigMaps in Kubernetes are used to store important configuration data for applications running in pods. These configurations can be easily accessed and modified, which introduces a risk of unintentional or malicious changes. Accidental modification of a ConfigMap could cause an application to stop functioning or allow unauthorized control over it.

Without proper controls, modifying a ConfigMap can lead to application misconfigurations, potential security breaches, or service disruptions. In the worst-case scenario, a compromised ConfigMap could enable attackers to alter critical settings and take over applications running in the cluster.

To mitigate these risks, immutable ConfigMaps should be used, and versioning and monitoring best practices should be followed.