Back to all scenarios
Scenario #269
Security
Kubernetes v1.20, On-Premise

Unrestricted Access to etcd

The etcd datastore was accessible without authentication, risking exposure of sensitive cluster data.

Find this helpful?
What Happened

The etcd service was configured without authentication or encryption, allowing unauthorized users to access and modify cluster state data.

Diagnosis Steps
  • 1Attempted to connect to etcd without credentials.
  • 2Successfully accessed sensitive cluster information.
  • 3Evaluated the potential impact of unauthorized access.
Root Cause

Misconfiguration of etcd lacking proper security controls.

Fix/Workaround
• Enabled authentication and encryption for etcd.
• Restricted network access to etcd endpoints.
• Regularly audited etcd configurations for security compliance.
Lessons Learned

Securing etcd is critical to protect the integrity and confidentiality of cluster data.

How to Avoid
  • 1Implement authentication and encryption for etcd.
  • 2Limit access to etcd to authorized personnel and services.
Previous ScenarioNext Scenario