Kubernetes and Cloud Credential Path Access via Process Arguments
Flags Linux process executions whose arguments reference high-value Kubernetes service-account material, kubeconfig or node PKI paths, or common cloud files, when invoked via typical file-reading utilities or from…
Description
Flags Linux process executions whose arguments reference high-value Kubernetes service-account material, kubeconfig or node PKI paths, or common cloud files, when invoked via typical file-reading utilities or from ephemeral directories. Useful for spotting in-cluster and hybrid credential theft early.
Detection logic
Its licence does not clear it for publishing here
Sunturai publishes a detection's own text where the licence it arrived under has been reviewed and permits it, and Elastic License 2.0 has not. The query as its source wrote it, its canonical form and the hash that pins this revision are in the workspace record.
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuiteSaaSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- event_index
Known benign triggers
- Legitimate backup, compliance scanners, or admin scripts that enumerate paths under /home or /var/run/secrets may match. Tune by parent process, image, or automation identity.
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1552/ | 4from 2 sources |
| kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/security/service-accounts/ | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 5f0fff18-f340-444b-9a98-c49ade766ff4
- Tagged by the source as
- Data Source: Auditd ManagerData Source: Elastic DefendDomain: ContainersDomain: EndpointDomain: KubernetesNoise: MediumOS: LinuxPerformance: NormalPlatform: LinuxResources: Investigation GuideRule Type: Custom Query (KQL)Tactic: Credential AccessUse Case: Threat Detection
Licence
- Published under
- Elastic License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Sep 20, 2026
- Version
- 3