Quick Testing: Kubernetes Security Review

Assessment targets control and data plane exposure within the cluster

• Kubernetes API server and access controls
• Workloads (pods, deployments, jobs) and their configurations
• RBAC roles, service accounts, and permissions
• Network policies and service-to-service communication paths
• Cluster components (etcd, scheduler, controllers) and node configuration

How cluster security holds under adversarial conditions

• Analysis of RBAC for privilege escalation and excessive permissions
• Evaluation of workload security contexts (privileged pods, host access, capabilities)
• Testing isolation boundaries between namespaces and workloads
• Review of network segmentation and policy enforcement
• Identification of paths to cluster compromise via misconfiguration or weak controls
• Mapping to MITRE ATT&CK (container and Kubernetes techniques)

Aligned with Kubernetes hardening guidance and CIS Kubernetes Benchmark.

Emphasis on practical cluster compromise scenarios

• Privilege escalation paths via RBAC or service accounts
• Misconfigured workloads enabling node or cluster-level access
• Weak isolation allowing lateral movement between workloads
• Gaps in control enforcement (admission, policies, runtime restrictions)

Findings include clear evidence and reproducible attack paths.

Supports alignment with

• CIS Kubernetes Benchmark (configuration and hardening)
• ISO/IEC 27001 (access control, system security)
• NIST SP 800-190 (container security guidance)
• NIST CSF (protection and detection capabilities)
• Regulatory expectations (DORA, NIS2) for secure platform operation