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Kubernetes Denied Service Account Request via Unusual User Agent

This rule detects when a service account makes an unauthorized request for resources from the API server via an unusual user agent. Service accounts follow a very predictable pattern of behavior. A service account…

Description

This rule detects when a service account makes an unauthorized request for resources from the API server via an unusual user agent. Service accounts follow a very predictable pattern of behavior. A service account should never send an unauthorized request to the API server. This behavior is likely an indicator of compromise or of a problem within the cluster. An adversary may have gained access to credentials/tokens and this could be an attempt to access or create resources to facilitate further movement or execution within the cluster.

Detection logic

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Detection requirements

Platform
Containers

The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.

Log source category
event_index

Known benign triggers

  • Unauthorized requests from service accounts are normal and expected behavior. Analyze the user agent, pod and other node information to determine if the request is legitimate.

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