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Scenario #267
Security
Kubernetes v1.21, On-Premise

Insecure Secrets Management

Secrets were stored in plaintext within configuration files, leading to potential exposure.

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What Happened

Sensitive information, such as API keys and passwords, was stored directly in configuration files without encryption. This practice risked exposure if the files were accessed by unauthorized individuals.

Diagnosis Steps
  • 1Inspected configuration files for embedded secrets.
  • 2Identified plaintext storage of sensitive information.
  • 3Evaluated access controls on configuration files.
Root Cause

Inadequate handling and storage of sensitive information.

Fix/Workaround
• Migrated secrets to Kubernetes Secrets objects.
• Implemented encryption for secrets at rest and in transit.
• Restricted access to secrets using RBAC.
Lessons Learned

Proper secrets management is vital to protect sensitive information.

How to Avoid
  • 1Use Kubernetes Secrets for managing sensitive data.
  • 2Implement encryption and access controls for secrets.
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